UP THE FLOWING WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13391, 21 January 1907, Page 6

UP THE FLOWING WAIKATO.

SCENES BY THE WAV. As showing the force oi Hie current in the river at Mercer, the paddle wheel of a fair-Rizcd steam launch lying alongside tin- bank was revolved by the action of the water, the machinery also being moved. As the boats proceeded up the stream the magnificence of New Zealand's great everflowing waterway was- seen in all its might. Shortly after leaving the township the river widens, and has" so overflowed that the railway line is covered for a considerable

distance. The remains of a small Maori settlement are met, several of the whares only showing above the water. The natives have removed on to a. high piece of ground in a couple of tents, and their clothing. bedding, and a little furniture is to be seen scattered about high and dry above the water. The first sharp bend is now encountered and the water rushes round in great force making a large number of eddies. Theie is a hilt on the western side of the bend, and the action of the water and rain has caused two huge slip-, the whole of the face oi the hill having fallen into the river, and the major portion of the second. One of the scenes on the river trip is the large number of .-lips that hive occurred on the sides of the hills and mountain*. In places large patches have fume away, tearing the trees down with them, and revealing the bare, yellowish looking rock that the sod rested upon. In other plwes the .dips ate long narrow ones, extending over great part of the country, and giving i the visitor the appearance, of a laigo fissure caused by an earthquake. ORTON. TITK FIRST S'ET'I LEMENT. 'the fir.-t pretension to .settlement by the pakeha along the river after leaving '.Mercer, is nil*: with at a small phut; 1 ailed (■nor. The river at this point is exceedingly '.vide, ami all the low-lying country jis flooded. The large willow" trees v.iii. h j are such a conspicuous feature of the river j all the <mi\ here form a tine avenue along the lank, i,■■; the water has overflowed the country a very considerable distance. Bej tween portion of the trees and the unduI lating laud seen from the river, there is a ! considerable amount of debris, prim ipaUy I goid-si/ed lag.-, which hive apparently ieeii Washed down from the upper teaches, | and found a .secure test ing-pla. •■ there. A I flaxmill owned by .Messrs. K. and D. [ Andrews, is situated oil the bank of the : river, but the water has covered it to | within a couple of feet of the eaves of the j roof. A good amount of fibre had la-en j baled and sent to Mercer just befoie the | water rose too high, but about six or j seven tons were drying on the wires, and | most of tin's was lost, being swept away ! by the waters before it could be secured", j The summer level of the river heie is 4:t to sft below the banks. Just alter leaving Orton the down I steamer from Taupiri to Mercer, a goodsized paddle-boat, with plenty of "deck space, and which makes the trio mi alternate days to those of the three boats going up on Satuiday. was met- with. She hid a large number of passengers 011 board, and the usual greetings were exchanged. The first, and only lot of deb: is met with on the river was here encountered. It consisted of only a few tree- and what apj>eaied to he the root of a Maori whan-. The absence of debris was generally commented upon, the ge-'ciai impression being, which j was confirm. at most points. :j -a nothing is b.-ing washed away now. although earlv ! in the week a good amount or varied ar- | tides was swept down. The river ail the way. however, i- of a yellowish clayey colour. " ' ■ Above Orton the Ojetutia bridge, whii h is on the road to Oleti Murray and Chun hill. is .seen. The de ( king is still ciear and the. bridge safe, though the road 011 either ddo of it is coveted with water.