A PICNIC AMONG THE FLOODS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 34, 26 August 1893, Page 143

A PICNIC AMONG THE FLOODS.

WRITTEN FOR THE ‘GRAPHIC’ BY LAURENCE SHEFFIELD. Early Monday morning the rain came pouring down, and our hearts grew dreary at the sight, for it was on that day we were going to view the Hoods at Mercer. However, at nine a m. the rain cleared off, showing signs of a fairly fine day, and at eleven our two friends, Mr and Mrs E., who had promised to come with us, arrived, so off we started along the road to the Maungatawbiri Bridge, making in all six persons. When we had gone about half way, papa, IL, and myself hurried on quickly to get the boat ready, lea' ing the otherthree to conte after. Arriving at the bridge, we soon got the boat ready, and the others coming up we started, and pulling across the railway line and the Great South Road, which was three or four feet under water, we came into the full force of a strong westerly wind, which made the water dash into the boat. The railway line as well as the road is covered with water, except for a few chains from the Mauugatawhiri Bridge to Mercer. The swamps, too, are so over-Hooded that gates may be seen floating about all over the place. After passing several deserted houses, most of which were tied with ropes, floating pigsties, upturned wheelbarrows, and other wreckage we arrived at Mercer, where we found everything in a nice state. Canoes were drawn up and moored in front of shop doors. One poor family left their house to the mercy of the water three or four days ago, the youngest child being but a week old. The engine shed floor is covered with water, also the Garrick Hall and the wharf.

After staying at Mercer for some time we started for the mouth of the Whangamerino Creek. We walked along the line, the road being flooded. The liue and the road lie side by side between the river and a high cliff. Arriving there, the only wood we could find was wet through, but after some very hard blowing we managed to get it to burn, ami then filling the billy at a spring jutting out of a rock close by, we put it on to boil, and, much to our disgust, it took an awfully long time to do so, and by that time 1 had rolled a big Hat stone for us to sit on to a nice place behind a fence, where we proposed to have our dinner. While this was going on Mrs E. and mother were making sandwiches out of sardines and bread ami butter, and getting other nice things ready. Dinner over, we set out to view the Hoods. We went to the top of a high cliff and saw nothing but water and little islands. We saw a flax-mill half under water, and bundles of flax floating away down the river. The trallic bridge is very nearly under water, though 1 expect before many days it will be quite covered. After walking about for some time we started for Mercer. On our way it came on to rain, so we went behind some trees. While we were standing there we saw a pheasant start to Hy across the rivei, but when it was about half way over it got blown back by the wind. Soon we came in sight of an island, on which the owner has a large number of fruit trees, which are nearly under that element which 1 have been mentioning all along. Arriving at Mercer, we got into the boat and pulled about the houses. While doing so we saw some fowls on the top of a shed. They looked as though they would very much like to come down. Passing a house we saw a canoe fastened in the passage, and in a eage, not a bird but a pig. After some time we passed another house which had a lot of piles in the passage. Coming home we saw another big swamp under water. The railway is in some places being washed away, and will most likely cost the Government a great deal of money to repair. Just before we crossed the road again we saw a house with water up to the window sill, ami dog-kennels ami other out houses floating about the back yard. I’he fences bounding the road are hardly visible. Crossing the road we saw a number of piles which, if not looked after, will soon be carried away. \ few minutes after we crossed the line, ami pulling through some flax bushes we arrived at the railway bridge, and tying the boat up to some willows, we stepped ashore and watched the train coming through the water, and it looked splendid, the water rushing into the air as Irom a fountain. We then turned to walk home while my mother rode. • loing along the line we saw that the banks on which the line is placed are gradually being washed away. We also noticed several bridges floating about. When we reached home we found a nice supper ready for us, of which we were very glad.