THE WAIKATO FLOODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19531, 14 July 1925, Page 8

THE WAIKATO FLOODS.

CONDITIONS APPROACHING NORMAL.

(Peb . United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 13. Conditions are fast approaching normal at Mercer. The Waikato River is falling rapidly,, and the flood water is .steadily disappearing. The main railway line is now practically clear of water, though the back fines in- the station yards are still covered to a certain extent. The trains are using the main lines at a safe speed. The receding waters have left great quantities of silt •jn -the yards, and mud and sand have blocked' 1 .the shunting points. .Clearing gangs are now at work. The interlocking gear has also been damaged by water, and will have to bo overhauled. Flood water evidently found its way under the platform, which is subsiding in places. Motor car traffic is now able to negotiate the road.

“I would not make another trip like that one for a good £500,” was the manner in which the driver of one of the three buses which arrived Ijy road from Auckland summarised the pleasures of a wet weather and flooded road journey when speaking to a Wellington Post reporter on Tuesday. The first trouble experienced Was at Mercer, where four feet of water had to be negotiated. Engine and carburetter were flooded, and horse-power had to ; be called on to get them through the young sea across and along the 1 road. ,At several cither points flood waters had to be contended with, and conditions on either side of- the Mokau River were very bad, the buses sliding and ploughing about in deep, heavy silt. The road near Shannon, however, was the worst of all, quite impassable, and there was nothing for it but to turn back and take the Pahiatua track spd, Masterton route to Wellington. The Pahiatua track was described as “just about impossible, but we got through.”