THE WAIHOU RIVER.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 226, 1 March 1928, Page 4

THE WAIHOU RIVER.

RISING DURING DROUGHT.

Riparian Settlers Surprised.

Riparian settlers along the Wai-

hou river in the Matamata district have been greatly surprised to note that during the past two months the Waihou has been steadily rising. That there should be an abnormal volume of water in the river, seeing

that the rainfall since last October has been negligible, certainly appears strange ; indeed, the settlers are all at a loss to account for the unusual occurrence.

The phenomenon can scarcely be attributed to springs, for these sources of supply invariably lessen during periods of prolonged dry weather. The condition above referred to has been noted particularly by Mr. V. A. Hill, P. and T. maintenance foreman at Matamata. Mr. Hill and his gang have been working near the Waihou, and had occasion daily to secure water therefrom. Noticing the rise, Mr. Hill put down markers, and it was found that the water rose 15 inches within 10 days. On Sunday Mr. Hill, accompanied by the writer, went out to the river bridge between Matamata and Te Poi, on the Tauranga road. Obviously there is a fresh in the river, though where the extra water is coming from is a mystery. One can plainly see where the water has gradually risen t ver the watercress and other growths that normally sway on the surface ; here and there snags may be noted covered with fresh and green loose vegetation, apparently the flotsam caught up quite recently. The lower cross-bars of the bridge, which was visible about a fortnight ago, are now submerged. There is a good deal of discolouration of the water, but this may be from the bridge approach cuttings at Okoroire. *

Mr. W. H. Moss and Mr. H. Sutherland, two river settlers, have both i-emarked on the rising river, the subject being mentioned at the last meeting of the Matamata branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

The river is running nearly bank and bank at Matamata, and just why it should contain an almost flood volume of water in the driest summer experienced for many years, instead of being at the usual summer low level, is something the people are at a loss to account for.

In a previous article it was suggested that the cause might be seepage from Arapuni, an idea which is held by some of the old residents of the district. Mr. L. B. Campbell, district engineer for the Public Works Department, Auckland, considers such a suggestion should be treated lightly. He does not, however, advance anything which will provide a solution for the mystery.— Matamata Record.