MERCER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 201, 18 August 1916, Page 4

MERCER

The heavy rains of the past fortnight have considerably altered the level of the Waikato rivor at tho Mercer wharf, where Inst Tuesday it was six feet two inches—showing a rise of four feet over low-summer level. During Tuesday night it rose another inch. On both sides of the river the Hats were inundated, and tho biggest portion ul lie ihl running from Messr. Outer's -.lore: to tho read leading from the railway |

line tj Pokeno—a distance of over a mile—was almost wholly under water. A mishap to the s.s Freetrader on Wednesday morning last, whilst on her way to Huntly to load coal, placed Captain Ragg in the unfortunate position of having to let his boat drift back to the Mercer whaif a distance of one mile—and with a ''fresh" in the river the task was attended with no little difficulty. The feat was accomplished, however, with safety, and on an inspection of the boiler it was ascertained that a steam tube had " blown out."

The iirst shipment of cheese to arrive in Mercer from the Waikato Co-op. Cheese Co.'s Aka Aka factory this season, for export, was loaded direct into insulated waggons at the Mercer wharf on the arrival of the All-British Shipping Co.'s barge 9 on Wednesday morning last. The wharf presented a busy sight, for in addition to several stacks of timber, a large consignment of green flax was being unloaded.

The barques Daniel and Senoiita, together with the s.s. Wallsend, which should shortly arrive in the Dominion, are to load timber to be supplied by the United Timber Co for shipment to Sydney. There is every possibility of the ketch Albatross making another trip to Port Waikato in about five weeks' time, for although it was blowing a " howling" gale a fortnight ago when she went ashore entering Marakopa bar, her present position is such that she should be easily refloated in the course of a few days. From enquiries made by the Northern Steam Shipping Company it would appear that the Company is seriously considering the advisability of running a steamer service between Onehunga and Port Waikato.

With a view of increasing the output at Mr L. Doan's ilaxmill a Suttie Wynyard washer and scutcher of tfie latest pattern has been installed, thus bringing the mill under the category of one of the best equipped in the Dominion. Mr M. Roose, who has enlisted in the 'if.th Reinforcements, leaves Mercer on Monday for Trentham Camp.

Signalman J. Robinson, who has been in camp at Trentham with the 1 !>th Roinforcements, is in the district on sick leave. He was the eighth man to enlist from the staff engaged at Mr W. H. Dean's Jlaxmill.'

A start has been made at the Mercer Hotel with the additions and improvements decided on by the owner, Mr Gimblett. A correspondent writes in regard tn the state of the roads of Mercer. He suggests that the Town Board should get a move on to improve the thoroughfares, particularly the main street and the one leading to the United Timber Oo.'s mill.

The General-Manager of Railways, Mr K. 11. Hdey, has notified the River Boaid that as the charges made in connection with the transput of the Board's dredge from I'.ii'iii.i to Mcrrer are in accordance \\ 111 l I lie gUXeUud .( ale of i hnigeS tho same could not bo remitted.