SEVERE FLOODS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18421, 30 June 1925, Page 7

SEVERE FLOODS.

WHAKATANE SUFFERS. DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION. (srEcui. to "the press.") AUCKLAND. June 20. Never since 1906 has such a flood as the present one visited this district, and it is believed that the damage that has 'resulted- will run into several thousands of pounds, telegraphs the "Herald's" Whakatane correspondent. The flood waters are now subsiding, and the whole countryside presents a most desolate appearance, damage and destruction being apparent everywhere. All over the plains innumerable lakes are seen, and cattle and other stock are huddled together on the higher portions of the land. For miles fences have been levelled to the ground through the weight of the debris carried by the rushine waters. In some parts, also, telegraph poles have been knocked down and trees have been uprooted. Quantities of silt have been deposited on many of the farms and pastures have been ruined for some time to come. Acres and acres of maize crops have been flattened down, and in most cases will prove a total loss. Several hundred sheep and nigs have been drowned, while in much lesser degree cattle have also been lost. Settlers have had an extremely trying time. Many houses were flooded, and the inmates had to raise their beds on boxes in order to get free of the wet. Others again had to sleep on tables. A large number of houses are now surrounded with a good depth of silt, and the appearance of the homesteads is dreary. In places road metal has been swept from the roads and the damage thus caused will run into several hundreds of pounds.

No trains are running between Matata and Whakatane owing to a wash-out on the line. Communication has been restored between "Whakatane and Opotiki,, the Taneatua road being now clear of water. Beyond the mail mentioned, no mails have reached "Whakatane for three days. It is reported that, there is a big slip near Rotoma. and rap traffic from Rotorua is entirely held up. Commercial travellers and a number of other visitors are held ui> at Whakatane, and the hotels are fully taxed to provide accommodation-, many of the guests having to be content with shake-downs. SETTLEMENT IN DANGER. (press association telegram.) WHAKATANE, June 29. Rain 1 continued heavily yesterday, and last night the rivers were again rising and all communications 03' road were cut off. Large areas are under water an>i many homesteads marooned, families having to be rescued by boats. The road and railway lines are damaged. The Waimana settlement is in a bad position, the river threatening to eat a fresh course across the farms. A. boat' is stationed at AVhakatane bridge to ferry people across. MERCER SURROUNDED. (press associatioh telegram.) • AUCKLAND, June 29. ■ A reporter, who travelled to Hamiltqu„by car on Sunday returned this marning by the Limited Express. Ho states that ]arge areas are flooded ii* the lower reaches of the Waikato. Round Mercer and llangariri the water is still rising and extends for miles upon miles. Between Mercer and Ohinewai and from Ohinewai to the main river the water swept across the metalled road causing much damage. As the Limited passed from Taupin to Auckland it was observed that great areas of country were covered by water, only the tops of the fences being visible. Sheep and other stockhad been moved to higher land. The same conditions prevailed approaching Ohinewai, particularly in the low country in the vicinity of Tekawhata. At Mercer, miles on miles of country are inundated, only the railway yards and high portions of the township being free from flooding.