THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13389, 18 January 1907, Page 6

THE WAIKATO.

IJRKAT CAP VKT ON TDK LIN I

PASSKNGLPS OKT THROUGH I'.V

LAUNCH

[BY CUT. SPECIAL KKl'dtiTElt.]

Although In floods iii most of the outlying districts are subsiding, the position in the* Waikato district from Xgaruawahia, to Tuakau remains about the same. Most of the low-lying country is still under water, to the extent of several feet, ami, as the river yesterday at Mercer and other places was repotted to be still rising, the position assumes one of gravity, and it does not appear in the least degree probable that communication between the two stations will be restored for several days. No one had been able to get through from Xgaruawahia since Monday night, and when it was announced at Tuakau yesterday morning that a number of people were, going to make the attempt by coming down in launches, numbers gathered at the landing to witness tile event. Altogether about 20 or 30 venturesome ones arrived at the landing by launches. From the landing they had to get to the station, a. distance of three miles, where, after a. long wait, they caught the train to Auckland, which arrived here at ten p.m. Tin remainder, including an American and his party, went on down the river with the intention of getting to Waiuku, and taking the boat from there to Onehunga. Very likely they will not arrive until sometime this afternoon. Those who caught the train at Tuakau to Auckland state that the condition of the country between Xgaruawahia and the present terminus on the Auckland side is simply appalling, and cannot be realised, excepting by those who have been there. The .Maori village of Waahi. they state, is more than half inundated, while the condition of Hmitly it-self is almost as bad, many of the houses being half under water. Mercer and Rangiriri are also reported to be in a precarious state, having been so for several davs.

Among those who arrived in town last night were three tourists, who, together with a number of others, left Rotorua on Monday morning with the intention of catching the" train at Frankton Junction for Taumarunui. and proceeding overland from there to Wellington. They stated that they were only able to get as far as Te Awamutu. when they were informed that they would have to return to Frankton Junction, which they did. '1 hey spent the night there, and took the train to Auckland next morning. This train, however, was only able to get as far as Huntly. and there they all had to seek quarters' at the hotel. They then tried to get a. launch to negotiate the distance between there and Tuakau, but without success. Telegrams were sent, including one to the Minister for Railways, asking for assistance. The telegram to the Hon. Hall-Jones was despatched by an American gentleman, who received a. clever-ly-worded telegram in reply, which to all intents and purposes meant nothing. This," said one of the gentlemen who was being interviewed, "was exhibited with great gusto by our American friend at table next morning", much to the amusement of us all.' TWO AND A-HALF DAYS IN HUNTLY. Continuing their narrative the three tourist.-, stated that they were stuck at Huntly fur two and a-half days, but nevertheless spenl an enjoyable time, their host doing all that he could to see jo their com[oit. While they were there the township was completely Howled, the water in most of the low-lying parts being over 61l in depth, while those whose properties faced right on the river were flooded out of their houses. Several of them had to he rescued by boats. The inhabitants of the native settlement across the river, however, fared worst of all. Their whales and dwellings being mostly of a low description, these were soon flooded, and as the cable across the river broke, and the water continued to rise, the residents of Huntly found it necessary to rescue the natives from their precarious position by boats and canoes, this operation being carried out on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Cattle, pigs, and fowls were to be seen on little hillocks surrounded by water, or such oilier points of vantage as they could secure. Early yesterday morning two launches came down the river from Xgaruawahia, and, putting into Huntly. picked up the stranded tourists, who were glad to get away, especially with the prospect of a. chance of getting on to Auckland. When the launches left the river was still rising, with every prosper of continuing to do so throughout I he day. FLOOD AM) VAST ATI OX, On getting further down the river the tourists, according to their own words, found a still greater state of Hood and devastation. The banks of the river could only he picked oil! by the tops of tin willows, and wherever they looked great expanses of water met the eye. the lops of numbers of haystacks and houses submerged in water. Wing only visible. tin the iV.a-r they saw the roof of a building float ing down. PROVISION'S FOR RAXGIRIRI. The arrival of the launches at Rajigirili was hailed with delight by an eager crowd on the verandah of the hotel, which was isolated by water. The tourists wondered at the enthusiasm displayed, hut they were not left in doubt long as to the cause, as a boat- put. off and was supplied from the launch with apparently needful provisions AT MERCER. The trip down the river was continued, and on arriving at Mercer the tourists discovered thai the water there had reached stub a. height that it was up to the middle of the window- of the houses adjoining the river. The tups of , ,, V i i, din waggons mi the railway line also could only lie seen, while the railwav station itself was isolated.

As the launches neared Tuakau landing the water on the surrounding country became less, until at last it became' verv

slight. On the road to Tuakau station, about three miles distant, most of the travellers had to walk, carrying their bags and baggage. This task was made all the more unpleasant as the roads were in a had state. On reaching the Tuakau bridge they found it hud been washed away, and could only get across by means of planks. The three" gentlemen in question on getting over were fortunate, enough to get a lift in a baker's cart to Tuakau, and on arriving there took the ballast train to Buckland, and from there came on in a farmer's dray to Pukekohe, where they had tea. and caught the train to town.