Heavy Rain and Floods.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 293, 18 January 1907, Page 2

Heavy Rain and Floods.

SERIOUS DAMAGE. The rainfall during tbs past week has been exceptionally heavy, no less than 6.40 in having fallen in six days. As a result of this phenomenal fall the rivere in this district became flooded, but it is pleasing to note that tbe damage done was not very serious. At Oparau a conple of the bridges which Carry the team line to tbe White Star sawmill were slightly damaged, whilst about 2509 ft. ot e-n.-,, timber was vashed away. Mr J urdaia.had five cases of benzine and one ot kerosene staoked.pt> the bank and the whole lot disappeared,. The famous Okupala log was also washed out at one end. Blips oocarred on the various roads, but were not sirious euough co iatarferrwffh traffic. Tbe mail coach which left tbe Oparau Ferry for Pirongia on Monday could only get as far as Mangati, Where > was blooked by tbe floods. The passengers were pub up at Mr A. Drmiby'a residence, tbe e<jutraoior (Mr 8. Stewart), riding on with the mail. The next day a etart on the re* turn journey was made, Mr W. Arm-1 strong acting as guide. The read for a eonsfderable distance was covered by about three feet o! water, and when the Mangati ford was reached it was found that the creek bad been trans formed into a raging torrent. Mr Armstrong's local knowledge hare camo in valuable, as although his companions wanted to turn back he forded the creek safely, bringing tbe mails and directing the other horses. The mail was delivered in Kawhia on Wednesday morning. Prai e is due to Messrs Armstrong and Slewart for their efforts the expedite the mail service.

There was only a Waikato mail this (Friday) afternoon.

JN THE WAIKATO. (Bt Tsleubaph.) (Special to the settler.) Hamilton, Thursday. Since Wednesday last unprecedented rains have fallen continuously in tbe Waikato and surrounding districts witb tbe result that the river rose rapidly and things assumed a serious aspect tor those living on the low lying portions of the township. By yesterday morning it was seen that several residences were flooded and furniture was being carted all day. By the evening the water had surrounded several houses, and furniture vans .had to be driven a quarter of a mile through four feet of water. Water rose rapidly until it reached 20 inches over flood mark of 1875, this establishing a record. There have been numerous wash outs on all the railway lines and Hamilton is practically isolated, trains only running to Otorohanga, Ngaruawahia and Cambridge. No trains have run between Auckland and Waikato and Rotorua and Waikato for two days and the mail services have also been dispensed with. Numerous washouts have also occurred on all the roads in tbe Waikato anti three or four smaller bridges have bean washed away, including the old bridge over the VVaipa at Pirongia, and travelling at present is conducted with great difficulty and danger. Portions of bridge floating down river suggest that either the bridge at Horohoro Atiamuri have been washed away, The new steel bridge at Pirongia is a long way under water, whilst the Whatawhata bridge is expected to go any moment, the water being 70 feat above summer level. In addition to tbe losses of local bodies great damage has been done to tbe oat and potato crops, and the farmers will be losers by thousands of pounds.

Hamilton, Friday. The Rotorua express reached here yesterday, also the Auckland mails, which were conveyed many miles by steamer. Water subsiding.