THREE INCHES HIGHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 12

THREE INCHES HIGHER.

THE RIVER AT MERCER. FLOODING MORE SERIOUS. WATER ON FRONT DOORSTEPS, [BT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. 1 MERCER. Friday. The flooded conditions of the Morcer Valley "became worse to-day through a further rise of three inches in the Waikato River. The river was still rising this evening and wa3 only about ten inches from tho top of the Mercer Wharf. The effect of the rising water was particularly noticeable at the railway station, where the flood has extended almost the entire length! of tho platform. The water was flowing through a passageway alongside the southern signal box directly from the valley into tho yards. This was not the case yesterday. Shunting operations were being carried out under the most difficult conditions, and if the water rises any more will bo suspended altogether. The station hands wore working under trying circumstances, but»took their lot in good part. Whenever a train came in there was a largo crowd on the platform to see the engine strike the water and often lifht it halfway up the boiler. The state of the flood was causing anxioty to many people, who a day or two ago thought their homes would be safe, The water has reached the front doorstep of many of the houses on the road running parallel with tho river. It threatens to enter the homes if the river rises any higher. In many of the backyards were td be seen rows of stakes marking the inroad of the waters since the Waikato overflowed its banks. In the main street of Mercer there is nothing to indicate a flood so far. The river is flowing smoothly and apparently peacefully.

BOADS UNDEK WATER. CONDITIONS NEAR MERCER. DEPTH UP TO TWENTY INCHES. DIFFICULTIES OF TRAVEL. An adventurous motor trip through the flooded country in the Mercer Valley was made yesterday under the aegis of the Auckland Automobile Association. *ln many places the roads are in a shocking state and are dangerous to the drivers of vehicles who are not well acquainted with the main highway. The party set out from Auckland early yesterday morning in a truck lent to the association by Northern Automobiles, Ltd. The truck was accompanied by a car in case of accident. The road to within a short distance of Mercer was in faily good order. However, in a gully before reaching the hill that overlooks Mercer, the cars had to run through water up to tho running boards. Worse was to follow. Tho party decided to traverse the road at the back of the station in the truck. As tho water was nearly 3ft. deep in some places such a task was considered impossible by local residents. The truck pushed its way through the water and inch by inch covered the route. In the meantime those on board received much barracking from the large number of local residents on the bank near the station. In some patches the water reached eight inches over the magneto. There was a loud cheer as the truck achieved its object and reached dry land in tho main street of Mercer. This was the first time for three days that a motor-vehicle had passed Mercer station under its own power. i The Rangiriri Deviation. During the morning some motor-cars attempted to pass the 'flooded road, but the water- defied the engines and the drivers had recourse to tho old horse that never fails to extricate them from difficulty. 4 . - Mr. R. E. Champtalonp, service-officer for tho Automobile Association, placed several fcegs along the road at the back of the station which indicated; the depth of the* water to other motorists. The car was left in, safety on the north side of the flooded' road and ihii tiiick set out'from Mercer to Ranmriri after lunch. Shortly after leaving Mercor the road runs down into a gully and the water from the Waikato is almost level with the metal. The Rangiriri deviation was in splendid order. Here and there workmen wore jo be seen clearing away minor slips but these do not affect the main route; in fact, they ale a blessing in disguise, for they will help to widen the highway. The old clay road over the Rangariris was seen to be in a shocking state and had it still been in use it would certainly have been impassable for all traffic. But the truck sped safely over a hard metal surface tlislt would easily withstand the worst weather conditions. At the Meremero end of the deviation the flood water is a foot below the road. Nowhere on the deviation does it reach higher.

Boats on'the Road. The hardship brought about by the flood was fully in evidence at the little township of Rangiriri. ,The road in front of tho local hotel is a sheet of water. The local store, not far away, is surrounded with water which is only a few inches from the level of the floor. One can just see the tops of the palings which mark the back yard. A youtn rowed his duck boat up to the steps for provisions yesterday afternoon. Tho road between the bridge at Rangiriri and the bridge about a mile and a-half south of it is completely obscured by water. The river has overspread the whole of the valley and on looking down from the hills above Rangiriri one would think that Rangiriri was on the very edge of a vast lake. Tho truck found a way across this lake, however. Mr. Charnptaloup had to proceed ahead with a a guide. The road cannot be seen and the. depth of the water over it varies,from a few inches up to 20in. Several pegs indicating the deptn of water were placed along the route by Mr. Champtaloup. Motorists are advised to steer a course midway between the lamp poata on one t side and the' guiding posts on the other. The road snows itself at tho bridge, but is again' submerged at intervals as far as Ohijiewai. The truck accomplished tho return journey without outstanding incident to Mercer, and once again negotiated the road at the back of the station. The party returned to Auckland in the car. Tho dangerous portions of the road are now marked out and motorists and others who aro passing through should watch out for the depth and guide indicators. TAIERI KIVER FALLING. CENTRAL LINE CLEARED. RESUMPTION pF TRAFFIC. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DONEDIN. Friday. * The flood danger 'appears to be over. At 1 p.m. the Taieri River was down a fo6t at Outram and 2ft, at Middlemarch. Trains have resumed running on the Otago Central line, on which engines were derailed by tho fallen rook. A short deviation has been made at Mount Allan, , .The Outrain train has been cat out.