DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4375, 8 February 1922, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

KOMATA REEFS. THE ' FLOOD DAMAGE. Perhaps nowhere did the recent flood come down with such unexpected suddenness than ip 'the Komata Reefs Valley. Residents state that from the first signs of the rising of the stream not more than half an hour elapsed before it was a raging torrent, washing away four bridges, hurling boulders and rocks down, and tearing across various open spaces.. Included among the losses were two good cows belonging to Mr Waite, which were drowned. With the usual “cussedness” of things, of two cows which were swept downstream together, a valuable one was drowned, and a poor one landed safely in the first flat it came to.< The road h,as had the binding washed,. out of it in several places, but otherwise is a much better road than the one from Hikutaia to Kopu, and better than many others in this district. z THE SCHOOL GROUNDS. The passer-by gets the impression that Komata Reefs school, though it seems to be “ away at the back of beyond,” is in charge of an' officer who taked a commendable pride in the building surroundings. ‘During his t«nn Mr A. R. Watson has coni: verted a wilderness ofl fern and rank growths into a place of gardens, paths, and civilised things generally. Unfortunately,- a summerhouse which he had constructed was practically demolished by the recent storm. The qualities of a cultivated mind —taste, artistry, orderliness and method, skilful direction of enthusiasm in others ; these are in evidence at Koiriataßeefs schorl. Unfortunately the writer called at an inopportune time to glean much about the history of the schoo 1 , number of pupils, state of! proficiency, etc., but this information may be forthcoming at a future date.