FLOOD IN WESTPORT.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 307, 25 July 1868, Page 2

FLOOD IN WESTPORT.

Whether Westporfc will Buffer as we know Hokitika has done, from the ■joint encroachments of the sea and the tide, is impossible to say, but it is certain that on Wednesday night last and yesterday, we have? had very good ground;', forjudging of the probabilities of such a contingency. Wednesday night last a violent gale blew from the north east, causing a very heavy sea to roll right home on the beach. It so happened too that this was the time of the highest spring tides, and in addition, owing to the rain that, had fallen, and the quantity of melted snow that came down a heavy fresh occurred in the river. These three combined causes occasioned a perfect Hood over the North Spit, the sea breaking right over, several hundred yards further than its wont, whilst the river at the same time overflowed, and the result was that the water covered the North Spit for a long distance from the river's mouth. A large number of small tenements stand in this part, as well as the temporary hospital, and the effectof this sudden incursion may be imagined. At bedtime, though the night was a wretched one, no danger was apprehended, but in an hour the water rose and scared some of the sleepers nearly out of their senses. The cries of many of the alarmed females brought prompt assistance, and its necessity may be guessed from the fact, that by this time a number of houses were completely surrounded, and that in some places the water was from a foot to eighteen inches deep. Those who had not waded out were taken off in a canoe, and the washed out unfortunates, at about 1 o'clock in the morning, waited as patiently as it was possible under the circumstances, for the tide to recede and give them once more possession of their homes. . At the hospital, the stable hospital we may state in order to distinguish it from the Camp Oven, w r ater was about twelve inches over the floor. The warder, Mr Poole, made all preparations for a flit, and had the canoe at the door ready to take those under his charge away should such be absolutely required. Fortunately however this was not needed, as the flood rapidly subsided, and yesterday morning the patients were xo the drier iron pot settlement without danger or inconvenience. In the meanwhile whilst that part of the spit was being so visited, the portions further north were by no means escaping. The school-house was flooded, the extreme end of Molesworth j street was one sheet of water, Freeman street became a lagooD, and some of the surveyed allotments sold quietly ' in Nelson, and purchased by Nelson people about twelve months ago, lost a few acres of solid ground The happy family of lions, leopards, bears, coons, &c., &c, in Mr Foley r 's menagerie were placed in anything but com, fort, and those in charge had to exert themselves for the preservation of their pets. At the same time of night the bank of she Puller, along the whole length of the Esplanade, was falling away in tons almost, and the water washed right up to the door fronts in thelowerportion. At the Westporthotcl the waves dashed against the boards as against a ship's side, and as might be easily imagined a very pretty scene of confusion arose. To add to the general effect, the wind blew in hurricane gusts,rattlingthe iron on the roofs, and sending an occasional sheet or the top of a chimney flying into space ; the darkness was intense, and the rain at intervals fell in torrents. The police, Messrs Martin, Payne, and others, w r ere at hand to render assistance where needed, but fortunately there was more discomfort than actual clanger, and their aid was not greatly called on. After an hour or two of this state of things the tide ran out, the sea abated, aud those driven out were able to return to their sloppy, muddy, wet and miserable abodes. As might be expected, yesterday's tide was looked forward to with no little trepidation, but beyond simply constituting several habitations, islands for the time, no additional damage was done. The Esplanade, however, again lost several lumps of its river bank, and the water came right to the doors. We omitted to state that on the previous night Mr Morison's house was completely unroofed, and the bank connecting Eeauchamp's wharf was washed away, rendering that structui'e an island. Several piles were cruising about too, and Ave observed Mr Suisted and others busily engaged in their recapture at high water. The newly driven piles, the first instalment of wdiarf protection, was made to do good service. Mr Sloan, the overseer of works, had been disappointed in the receipt of fascines from the man who had contracted to bring them, and! finding that afresh was threatened had j a number of old ones, that had been

lying at ffe upper wharf, brought down anil laid down, some woodwork being hastily nailed on to the piles. This very temporary protection answered capitally, for yesterday not only was tiio bank in that spot not, injured, but the fascines are nearly covered with the sand and shingle that lias silted up over them. There is no doubt that this is a severe test, and if the process now being commenced an swers as well throughout, the protection of the river bank may be considered as accomplished, Time only, however, will prove this. As might be expected, the steamers in port took great care to be safely moored, and none ventured out though announced to do so. During the whole of yesterday a fearful sea Was running, and the breakers on the bar were terrific. The Government school was not tenantable and the pupils had a holiday in consequence. Altogether however, no great harm has been done, but the necessity for framing the regulation as to the conservation of driftwood on the beach has been abundantly made manifest. As in all probability the same weather has prevailed all down the Coast, we may look with some anxiety for the next accounts as to the visitation at Hokitika and Grreymouth, the former more particularly. If it has been proportionately severe there, we may expect to hear of serious loss and damage to property, if not worse.