OTOROHANGA.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3210, 21 January 1893, Page 2

OTOROHANGA.

|PROM OUll OWN CORRE9FONDBNr,I OronoHANBA, Wednesday, The rain was very heavy and continuous throughout Sunday and Monday, and the Waipa River rose rapidly, until on Tuesday it was a complete torrent, running at the rate of eight or ten miles an hour, The country round about here was a site to bohold, and the greater part of the township was under water. At daylight on Tuesday morning the natives living in the lower part of the town wera to be seen wading waist deep, carrying their household goods to dry land. Ellis' mill, and all the houses in the" neighbourhood, had many feet of water round them, or rather they were apparently situated almost in the middle of the river, which was running at an alarming rate. It is fortunate that the rain ceased when it did, otherwise the whole of the township would very shortly have been swept down the river. Fortunately, the railway embankment opposite the stores, hotel and Mr Ciwen's office held good, otherwise thoso premises would have been flooded out; as it is much damago must have been done. It is too soon yet to ascertain what amount of damage has been dono at the mill. The natives have suffered heavily; many of their pigs, cattle, sheep, ke„ having been swept away by the flood, and their houses—many of them good, substantial cottages, built in the European style—must have been much injured, The train came up from Auckland as U3iial oil Monday, and proceeded to To Kuiti. On Tuesday morning it was brought to a standstill a mile or two before coining into this township, a large portion of the embankment being washed away,_ On trying to make thoir way back again to Ta Kuiti those m charge of the train found themselves again in a difficulty, as fresh damage had been done in their rear during the interval. Other slips have occurred between here and Te Awamntu, in the neighbourhood of the Kawa swamp. Towards To Kuiti there is a mile of the line under water, The mail has, of course, been delayed, but was taken to Te Awamutu last night by jigger. The river is now rapidly subsiding, and the weather fine,