RIVER STILL RISING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19062, 6 July 1925, Page 8

RIVER STILL RISING.

CONDITIONS NEAR MERCER. ..■ ■ . NINE INCHES BELOW JETTY. WATER NEARING MAIN STREET. The seriousness of the flood in the district around Mercer was accentuated during the week-end when the Waikato River rose another three inches. The river was still rising last evening. The water yesterday was only nine inches from the top of the jetty at Mercer. The water ha 3 risen considerably at the railway station and was only two inches from the top of the platform. Train traffic on the main line has -not been interrupted. However, it is feared that with the continual passing of the trains the submerged line will sooner or later feel the (.train. The little wooden tin-roofed shed, in the station yards which had beep surrounded by water for some days collapsed on Saturday morning under uniqna cir.cumstances. The water pushed aside by the 10 o'clock train from Auckland washed against the shed and the strain shook it off its foundations. No cars were successful in traversing the road behind the station on either Saturday or yesterday. The water has risen over the road and is a little over three feet deep in some spots. A car attempted to get through yesterday but gave up the { task. The water is not yet high enough at the station to interfere with, the running of tho trains. All the lighting gear under the carriages is waterproof. It was stated yesterday that the water woald have to bo three feet over tho lines before tho running of trains would bo impossible. • Opposite tho station is a farm owned by Mr. R, Glass. The feneca dividing tho property from the railway yards sare com> pletely obscured and about 60 acres on the place are under water. . On tho opposite sido of the Waikato River to the Mercer jetty, the Rooso Shipping Company is building a river boat. The chocks are in the running water but so fax the boat has remained in its place. The water is gradually creeping toward the main street by way of the backyards of houses and business premises facing the street. So far the majority of the houses have not been touched by the flood waters. It is interesting to note in this connection that during the great flood of 1907 boats could be sailed through the corridors of the local hotelResidents of Mercer are afraid of mora rain in the upper reaches of the Waikato. In this event the river would rise still further and do much mora damage. It was fine in the Mercer Valley on Saturday and yesterday, but rain waa threatening last evening. It is expected much damage will be done when the waters begin to recede. The road from Mercer to Miranda is in a very bad state and almost impassable for traffic.