MERCER FLOODED

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 174, 25 July 1928, Page 9

MERCER FLOODED

LIPGE AREAS SUBMERGED.

RAILWAY STATION ISOLATED. WATER STIEE RISING. OUTLOOK VERY SERIOUS. (By Telegraph.—-Special to "Star.") MERCER, this day. What threaten? to he a record flood is beinc experienced at Mercer. The Waikato River has risen very rapidly during the last 21 hours, and at the rate of its present progress large areas of country will be inundated. The Roose Shipping Co.'s timber mill close to the station is flooded and the employees are unable to work. There is water right through it. .Mercer railway station is practically an i-lnnd. three lines of rails on the far side "f the railway being under water. Traffic is still getting through on the roads, but motorists report that at the Manngatawhiri bridge, about a mile north ot .Mercer, the Waikato river is up to the tunning boards of cars, and swiftly flowing. Appearance indicates that if there is a much further rise in the flood waters the road here will soon be impassable. Wa'er is gradually creeping over the railway line, and as no flood water has reached here yet from the lower Waikato. it is estimated that all the levels will be covered to-morrow. At Roose's shipbuilding plant, all machinery and movable gear have beer nailed or otherwise fastened to the floors, benches and walls to prevent it floating off. Mr. Roose's house, on the far side ol the river, is completely surrounded bv water. The flood has interferred with th( operations of the Main Highways Board which has been carrying out relief work on the main highway between Maungata whiri bridge and 'the Whangamarim bridge. Mercer being in the centre. Th< flood water has backed up on to th< works and caused washouts at mimeroui points. A large slip has taken plac< just outside the Mercer station, when the spoil trucks were precipitated irtt< the flood waters, the embankments giving way. At the present rate of rise :n the river Mercer will be in a sorry plight to morrow. All the railway lines are liabl to be covered, and possibly traffic wil be suspended on the main roads. Mercer township is situated partly oi high and partly on low levels. The lo\ levels are now well under water, am many houses are completely flooded. The Maori area is particularly un fortunate, the native houses beins c'os to the river. The occupants have bec-om alarmed and are vacating their homes i a hurry. River Rapidly Rising. A "Star" representative telephoivn from Mercer stated that at 2.30 thi afternoon the river was rapidly risinj Some houses were flooded and boat were used to shift people and thei belongings to a place of safety.