SITUATION AT HUNTLY.

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

SITUATION AT HUNTLY.

LOW AREAS INUNDATED. SEVERAL HOUSES ISOLATED. . ♦ MAORIS VACATE THEIR WHARES. [BE TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HUNTLY. Friday. Although not so seriously affected as Mercer, Huntly has also suffered severely from the floods and presents a decidedly desolate scene, especially in the southern and western poitions of the township. Viewed from tho rising ground on the east the sceno is one of . a waste of waters in all directions. The Waahi Lake to the west has risen to such an extent that tho small creek which usually carries the surplus water to the river has overflowed its banks and there is a lake stretching for acme two or three miles to tho river.

The Maoris at Waahi Pa liave been forced to vacate a number of their whares which, like thoso at Mercer, - were practically submerged. " In this locality the water is flowing over tho main road to a depth of about a foot, while in tho depressions the water is well over tho tops of the fences. In some cases boats and canoes are being used to get from the road to the houses.

Tho ground in the vicinity of the river is formed in a series of slight rises and the highest of these stand surrounded by water, in numbers of cases the refuge of stock.

At the south end of the town on the main Hamilton Road, the water is already over the footpath in several places, a distance of some six to eight chains from its normal bank, and indications are that it will rise even higher. Soveral houses standing back from the road between it and tho river are isolated and either boats or horses have to be used to reach them. In one case the garden of a houso is under about a foot„of water. A bridge has been placed between it and the next residenco, which stands on slightly higher ground, to enable tho occupants to reach tho road drvshod. Numerous gardens are submerged while the water is washing through several outbuildings in this locality. With tho exception of ' the whares at the pa no water has as yet? entered tho houses. Indications v this morning were for an improvement in the weather, but this afternoon tho rain again commenced falling steadily and the position is likely to become serious if the river continues to rise. The public school, which is situated near tho Huntlv Lake, is now surrounded on three, sides by water, which, however, gives no indication of rising further. RANGITAIKI SUBSIDING. REPORTS AS TO DAMAGE. ( DROWNING OF MAORI WOMAN. [BX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. , V7HAKATANE. Friday.

The Rangitaiki River is now subsiding very slowly bat a big stretch of country is still under water. Mr. Campbell, chief drainage engineer, Auckland, is making an inspection of the plains tor the purpose of compiling a report for the Government as to the damage done. Advice has been received that the Hon. A. D. McLeod has instructed Mr. Furkert, Engineer-in-Chief, to visit the district immediately and report as to the flood damage and what action is necessary U> prevent a repetition of flooding. He will report on both the Rangitaiki and "Waiinana damage. Heavy rain has been falling all to-uay throughout the district and has added greatly to the already uncomfortable lot of the settlers. Some lines of provisions, especially flour, were getting very short in Whakatane owing to the nonarrival of the Otimai, which has been sheltering at Ohiwa. Fortunately the sea moderated sufficiently for tho vessel to make port this afternoon and this has removed the prospect of a shortage of necessaries.

The body of the old native woman Mereliana Ngahou, who had been missing for some days, was found yesterday among some willows near her home on the banks of the Rangitaiki River at JL'e Teko. An inquest was held to-day when it was stated that the members of deceased's ;family crossed the river for the purpose of gathering maize. Then the flood came on and they were unable, to return homo for five days. The old woman, however, was missing. Apparently she attempted to rescue from the flood a pig tethered to a lower terrace of the river bank and was caught in the rushing waters. A verdict of found drowned was returned.