Balclutha after the FLOODS.

Wednesday.

The water has subsided to that extent that it is now possible to walk dry-shod almost from the Ferry Bridge to Gordon street. Yesterday several shops were open and business was being conducted as if the floods of 1878 had never occurred. In a tour of inspection, starting from the Ferry Bridge, the following; facts came to light. Mr Wood, the present occupant of Kilgour Bros, store, had four feet of water in his place and consequently has suffered .severely. Not only, furniture but goods have been greatly damaged and ruined. Mr Campbell close by on the same side will be one of the heaviest losers by this flood, for his place, both outside and inside has the appearance of a wreck. The Post-office stands comparatively high and dry, and now the mud is out the loss of two or three books is all that energetic Mr Willcox has to lament. Mr Kinn the tailor has a sad tale of woe to tell. In his back premises he had over three feet of water, and here alone damage has been done to the extent of £100. In fact this sum will not cover the loss caused by the water and mud both in front and back. Naturally he is taking rather a melancholy view of matters, so if kind friends with accounts of his in their possession will give him a call, more especially if they have money in their pockets, he will gladly welcome them. Mr M 'Donald is fortunate in being able to report that a £5 note would cover all the damage he has received.

Mr Gawn, saddler, had 3 feet of water in his place, but by hard work was able to remove all his stock in time to save it, so that hardly a belt has been injured. In the same category may be placed Mr Low, whose stock also is quite untouched. His garden at the back is still, however, filled up with water. Elizabeth street is tolerably clear of holes and ruts, but there is still a good deal of water in low parts. The Otago Wool and Grain store has had its foundation towards the front completely washed away, and is standing on the bare back piles. Messrs W. Ryrie and Co., on the opposite side although doing business were in a such a mess that as yet they are unable to form any estimate of the damage done.

Mr Hogg, who throughout the whole affair has taken so lively an interest in everything calculated to save life and property, managed to put the most valuable portion of his stock just above the water mark, but a great deal of damage has been done to his miscellaneous stock.

Dr. Smith's house is seemingly dry as a herring bone, but, on going behind, the sea of water that meets one's view is simply something that must be seen before it can be believed. Every out-house is perfectly suffocated in mud, stable, washhouse, and other offices are in that state that many a hard days' work will have to be gone through before any one can enter them. The garden is, to all intents and purposes, at present, ruined, unless you can plant and cultivate potatoes, cabbages, etc, in pure mud. The current which flooded through his gate on the right-hand side of his house must have been something fearful. Not only has it cut a channel, the depth of which has yet to be discovered, but it brought down, when at its height, several fire bricks, (rather heavy pocket companions) from goodness knows where.

In the Farmers' Arms Hotel, the water reached a height of 18 inches, and much damage has been done. Behind, the stables are filled with mud, and in one part a great portion of the soil has been washed. John-street is comparatively clear of water, but the fence round the church in Clyde-street had been completely demolished. This has been erected by Mr Alex. Bain, the contractor, and as it had not been painted, he will have, unfortunately to make the loss good. Gordon-street has been made a perfect channel for a river, and nothing can be added to this description of it.

Mr Barr's house presents a dilapidated appearance, for all the fencing has been knocked down by the force of the water.

In Barr street where the fatal accident occurred on Sunday, there is any quantity of water yet, almost down to the station. It is hard to say what is the depth of the holes made here, for they are yet covered with water. By means of the energetic efforts of Mr Tosh a culvert was completed yesterday which enabled communication to be established with the southern side.

The Criterion Hotel is now in that condition that it may receive and tender every attention to not only the old patrons but to new comers.

There was only a foot of water here and everything was cleared away so satisfactorily that almost no trace of the flood remains. The property has not suffered in the slightest, and to bear out this fact it is only necessary to mention that on Monday evening an enjoyable dance was held there in honour of the re opening of the house.

The gaps formed underneath the railway have already been described. Otherwise Renfrew-street is free from water now.