HEAVY FLOODS IN THE WAIKATO

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6672, 27 July 1928, Page 8

HEAVY FLOODS IN THE WAIKATO

Big Areas inundated

MERGER SUFFERS BADLT ! 1 Times Special. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The railway line between To Aroha and Paeroa was still impassable yesterday owing to the heavy floods, and all through traffic was held up. During tho morning water lay three feet deep on the railway line, and five feet deep on the roadway nearby. The flooded portion was several miles in length. The Tauranga express was dispatched from Auckland as usual at 8.45 a.m. and went as far as To Aroha. Road transport past the flooded area, was impracticable. The express returned to Auckland, taking the place of the usual express from Tauranga to Auckland, and arriving at 5 p.m. Reports received last evening indicated that the waters in the flooded area were gradually subsiding, and, provided the weather remains fine, railway communication may bo restored to-morrow. The East, Coast railway line beyond Paeroa was blocked in several places as the result of slips caused by the heavy rain. Tho most serious- occurred early yesterday morninjj near Omokoroa, between Waihi and Tauranga, blocking the line for a distance of over 100 yards. Other slips occurred near Karangahake, Owharoa, and Waikino, disorganising tjic local rail services. Repair gangs were sent from Tauranga, Paeroa, and Waihi, and it is expected that the lino will be cleared to-day. A message from Paeroa last, evening stated that an attempt will be made today to erect a staging of planks along the Tine between .Tirohia and Mankaiti, over which tho passengers will be able to walk from and to waiting trains. If the waters rijeede sufficiently during the night to allow the staging to be erected, it will be possible for Auck-land-Tauranga express to run fairly close to schedule. Fences Out of Sight. At Thames tho rain eased on Tues-’ day night and stopped at 2.30 on Wednesday morning. The flood water yesterday at Kirikiri subsided quickly, and cars were able to proceed to Pacroa. There is not much flooding in the Thames area.jjmt hundreds of acres of country .are under water between Hikutaia and Komata. The fences arc out of sight, and the country at this point has been submerged to a depth of from one foot to three feet on both sides of the railway line. The-low lying farms in the neighbourhood of Wharepoa are also badly flooded, though the waters are subsiding slowly. Fortunately the settlers at Komata and Hikutaia were; able to move their herds to safety and there has been little loss in this'connection. Mercer Suffers Badly. Large areas of low-lying lands at Mercer are inundated Giving to tho rapid rise of the Waikato River, which Was swollen by recent heavy rain, and which rose nearly two feet in 24 hours ended at 9'o’clock yesterday morning. The river' continued to rise steadily during tho day at tho rate of nearly an inch an hour. The water was reported to be still rising in the evening and threatening to cover the railway lino near, the station. It was then practically surrounded by water. Flooding of the main road to a depth of about one foot occurred at the Maungatawhiri bridge, I but the motor traffic was not hindered to any extent yesterday, and the greater part of the roa'd was not in any immediate danger of being flooded, although a considerable rise in the level of tho river .was inticipated. 71 The proportions of the flood and the rapidity with which it developed naught , many people unawares. Hasty steps were taken to secure the loose timber in the Boose Shipping Company’s yard, where there were several inches of water, and similar precautions were taken with all movable gear in the adjoining boat-building yard. Several houses in the lower portion of the township were flooded, and the occupants were forced to seek temporary shelter Settlers have moved their sheep and cattle to higher ground in case the flood develops to more serious proportions.

An Annual Event. . Moods at Mercer are not -without their humorous aspect. The township has been inundated so often . that it has become a joke with many of the residents. If there was .not a flood once a year great disappointment would be caused. Fate dealt a shrewd blow at the owner of a small residence in a low-lying part of the town. He sold the house some time ago, but having just got married he re-bought the premises and went to considerable trouble and expense in repairing and paperhanging it throughout. He and his 'bride had just taken possession when the flood came and they had to make a hurried exit. The main road alongside tho river has been converted into a waterway along which launches of considerable size are plying for hire. The patches of land still above water have been appropriated by live stock, and a number of domestic fowls were to be seen yesterday cheerfully scratching for food oh the grassy heights. Rain Has Ceased. Although no rain has fallen at Mercer since Tuesday night, the river is still rising, though at a diminishing rate, says a Press Association telegram. Measurements taken at the junction of the Whangamarino and Waikato Rivers to-day show that the level had risen four inches in twelve hours. If the present weather continues the river will fall. AUCKLAND, July 26. Although no rain has fallen here since Tuesday night the river at Mercer ' is still rising though at a diminishing sate. Measurements taken at the

junction of the Whangamrino and Waikato rivers to-day show that the level had risen four inches in twelve hours. If the present fine weather continues throughout the district the Waikato Elver will fall. Evidence of the hurried exit of shmo campers was seen floating down the Waikato Eiver yesterday in the form of pots, pans, cups and other camp gear. Farmers report losses of young lambs and calves, but otherwise no .heavy loss has been reported. WATERS SUBSIDING. AUCKLAND, Last Niglit. The floods in the To Aroha district have subsided. The Ohinemuri Rivet at Paeroa has fallen 15ft. from the highest point reached.