THE WAIKATO RISES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19056, 29 June 1925, Page 8

THE WAIKATO RISES.

LOW AREAS UNDER WATER. SITUATION AT M ETICER. DISMAL. SCENE PRESENTED. RAILWAY STATION AN "ISLAND." [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. J HAMILTON. Sunday. The worst effocts of the rainstorm experienced in the Waikato during the last week are being felt at Mercer and Rangiriri, where the Waikato River has overflowed its banks and inundated large areas of low-lying land ih the vicinity. No damage has been reported, although the inconvenience to settlers, residents at Mercer and travellers using the Main South Road, which is covered by water along several stretches, is considerable. Following the heavy rain which fell on Wednesday and Thursday, the Waikato River at Hamilton rose to 10ft. above its normal level. Friday Was fine and on Saturday tbo level of the river had fallen 18in. Rain fell again on Saturday and continued until three o'clock this morning. The effect of the additional rainfall was immediately reflected in the level of the river, which rose again at Hamilton in sympathy. Some time elapsed before the flood waters reached Mercer, and when they did they inundated the lowlying lands of the township and the surrounding country. The waters ■of the Waipa have been banked up at its confluence with the Waikato River at Ngaruawahia, and both rivers are running bank high at this point. The road to Glen Massey, to the west of Ngaruawahia, is under water and the stretch has to be negotiated with care. The Mangawara River at Taupiri, the Whangamarino River at Rangiriri and other tributaries of the Waikato have overflowed their banks and very extensive areas on both sides of the Main Trunk railway line between Frankton and Mercer are inundated. Over a quarter of a mile of the Main South Road at Rangiriri is a foot under water, while the main road running parallel with the railway line at Mercer is also covered. Maori Cottages Surrounded. The north-bound Main Trunk express arrived at Mercer on time this morning, and travellers were surprised to learn that so much rain had fallen in the Waikato district. A dismal scene was presented at Mercer at daylight this (morning. The township was enveloped in a dense fog, through which it was impossible to see more than a chain. There was water everywhere. The Mercer railway station was literally an island station. water completely surrounding it. The water in the river was over 4ft. above its normal level and had flooded the Mercer Domain and a large area to the east of the railway station. The Roose Shipping Company's timber mill yard was partly under water, while the workmen's cottages in the yard were completely surrounded by water over a foot. deep. Several Maori cottages and a large whare on the north side of the township were like islands in a vast sea. The water in the whare was well above the level of the floor, and was 18in. above the ground. . The twenty Maori inmates of the whare were endeavouring to make themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit by erecting benches along the walls of the whare and sleeping on these. The fits of coughing from which the women and children suffered testified to the uncomfortable predicament in which they were placed. Temporary Loss of Pastures. The settlers at Mercer, Rangiriri and Whangamarino have removed their cattle to high land and although they will suffer the temporary loss of some of the pastures that have been under water, there is no doubt the grass will revert to its normal condition a.i soon as the weather improves. Several motorists succeeded in getting over the flooded road at Mercer yesterday and to-day, although they ran a risk of breakdowns through the water affecting the mechanism of their cars and through possible slips and washouts on the road. There was exceptionally little traffic on the Main South Road to-day, motorists and others not caring to risk injury to themselves or their vehicles owing to the floods. The water was still rising at Mercer to-day, although with the improvement in the weather the flood is expected to recede within a day or two. A BRIDGE UNDER WATER. DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC. TE AROHA-PAEROA ROAD CLEAR [BX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TE AROHA, Saturday. The recent rains caused the Waihou River to rise rapidly, and the upper reaches of low-lying land are well covered with water. At the Morgantown end of To Aroha the river has reached within two chains of the main street, and several houses have water within a few yards of their back doors. From To Aroha traffic bridge toward Herriesville low lands present a huge lake. Cattle are taking refugo in high places. The Waihou River at Mangaiti Bridge has risen 7ft., and traffic toward To Aroha West through Shaftesbury is dislocated. The approaches to the I>ridge are several feet under water, and school children are unable to cross. The Te Aroha-Pacroa main road is all clear.