The holding capacity of the reservoir is from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 gallons.
About six months ago it was enlarged, and it is thought possible that the walls had not properly set.
On Thursday night a record rainfall of 2.2in fell, and during to-day .8in fell.
The overflow took place at the eastern corner of the avenue.
Then a breach occurred, which gradually widened, and then came the deluge.
Most of the people were in their homes at the time, it being the evening meal hour.
The first indication of the coming disaster was a sound like steam escaping.
At first little notice was taken, as the creek running from the reservoir had been in flood all day, and that the noise emanated from it.
As the noise became persistently louder, however, the people began to realise that something out of the ordinary was the matter, and just before the debacle took place it dawned on them that the reservoir had broken.
This few seconds saved life.
The deluge swept down, and in all 15 residence were submerged and six business places flooded.
Hedges and fences were swept in all directions, and houses turned completely round.
One wash-house was swept two blocks away.
The main street was flooded and the water went over the railway line and poured into the harbour.
The cricket, bowling, and lawn tennis grounds were submerged.
No loss of life occurred. J. G. Ward and Co.'s store and contents were damaged to the extent of 3000 or 4000.
Five small boys appeared before Mr E. W. Burton, S.M., in the Juvenile Court charged with the theft of a number of toys from Braithwaite's shop.
One had also stolen a sixpenny toy tortoise from Lo Keong's bazaar.
Mr Scurr appeared for the two brothers, and three of the fathers of the boys were present. All admitted the offences.
Among the articles taken were tennis balls, mouth organs, water pistols, and a box of paints.
Chief Detective Herbert stated that three of the boys were reported to be under proper control, and he could not account for what they had done except that at Christmas time the shops were overrun with boys looking at toys, and effective supervision was almost impossible.
The other two had no mother, and their father was away all day at work.
The Rev. E. A. Axelson spoke on behalf of the father of these two.
Mr Burton made an order that each of the boys should receive a sound whipping from his parents, who were warned to impress on the lads that the consequences of a second offence would be much more serious.
He did not think it desirable to enter a conviction.
The parents were ordered to refund the value of the goods stolen.
In connection with the peculiar green blight, which was discovered to be killing Californian thistle in the Kaitangata district, and in isolated parts of South Otago, it is interesting to note that the blight has evidently spread.
At a meeting of the Lake County A. and P. Society mention was made of the matter.
The fly commences on the flower of the thistle and works down the stem, with the result that the leaves wither and the plant is apparently rendered quite lifeless.
One speaker stated that about five acres of thistles on his property had already succumbed to the ravages of the fly, and he was hopeful that all the thistles on his land would soon be eradicated. - ODT, 23.1.1915
