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139. And if it is due to the backing-up, there must Ihj some short distance between the places where they mix with one another?-Yes; in the middle of the river you will see in some places dirty water 2 or ~ chains long, and l hen a long clear patch in the middle of il mixing ~ , IM t - ?- 0W li^l ' "P hay « you seen that point of the mixture/ Right up as far as Mr N'ichoU's block ot 21 i acres. 141. Mr. Flatman.] Ilow many miles would that be up?— About two miles and a half or a little more by the river. I 12. The Chairman.] Does the mixed water go over the opposite bank to your place'—l have not been over there, but you can see the traces on the bank : but that bank doe's not suffer as much as my ground. 143. Is there much tailings on that bank?—The overflow is on tnj bank first. Here and there I suppose you could get a few tailings on the bank. The overflow rushes up the river ami then overflows to Netherton and Piako. 144. Does the Waihou River in flood bring down much stuff?— No. 145. Vegetable matter ? —A little. 146. You spoke of white clay being under your soil: does that continue for some miles? Yes I think so. 147. If the banks erode, some of that would be wash,,l out and would give the appearance shown in the third sample?—l do not think there is any fear of the river washing out the white clay. The white clay is very solid. It is hard to dig. Mr. MeVeagh: Might I suggest that the Commission would get a great deal more information by going up the Waihou. Tin Chairman: We propose to do so. It may prolong matters, but it seems to me absolutely necessary that we should see these places whilst the evidence is fresh in our minds -that we should see the land and the places the witness has spoken of. Mr. Hanna: It will really shorten the matter in the long-run. The Chairman : And really shot ten matters. What we wan, to get a, is the truth. John W. Thorp examined. (No. 8.) 1. Mr. Mueller.] Your name is John Wullanora Thorp, and you own 218 acres on the banks of the Waihou Kiver?—Yes. I would like first to make a statement to the Commission. J found the first gold up here. It may lie said that is of no consequence. It was a pear after Gabriel's (Jully was opened, in May. I spent over £2,000 in prospecting in the district. I wish to make this statement to show that I have helped the goldfield all 1 possibly could: and Thorp and party were awarded the prospectors' claim at Karangahake when this goldfield was opened by Colonel Fraser. 2. You have made a calculation of the damage which you have sustained by the flood? Yes : it is as follows: ,: Loss sustained by John W. Thorp—Damage caused by sill in 1906-7-8-10: January, 1007 To loss of grass for three months at £2 per ace per annum, £38; loss of young healthy apricot and peach trees, 70 trees al £2 each, 6140; one of the best apricots in orchard, 645 10s.: by Hi large apricots destroyed, at £20 each, £-",20: 6 smaller apricots, just bearing, al £5 each, £-'10: 12 large healthy apple-trees, at £12 each. £144: loss on 2 acres of a splendid crop of potatoes, at £17 per acre. £•'!) : loss on Kouto Nos. 2. 3, and 4, depreciation, at £:i per acre, caused by silt and silting of river, £15; to 40 acres of splendid rich bottom, valued at £-T> per acre, destroyed by silt, and only worth half-value now. £.'140; on,- line cow. broke her leg in silt. £7. January, 1907—1 cow. £0. ami two calves at £2 each, destroyed by silt covering grass £10. Total, £1,263." 3. Your fruit-trees were a great source of revenue?— Yes. All the peach-trees and apricot l rees have been destroyed. 4. How long have you been in the district/ —Over forty years. 5. How long have you occupied this land!—Abom thirty years. 0. Did you crop your land? —Yes. 7. Has it been spoilt for cropping-purposes?—Yes. 8. When did you first notice the flooding of your property? —Between six and seven years back the flooding cm -need I mean. Hooding caused by the silt. 9. Has that been getting serious/ Yes. it has been getting serious every year. 10. And more frequent / Yes. 11. Higher floods? — Yes. In the old days it took from two to three days' rain to cause a flood; now it only lakes a few hours. 12. What sort of crops did you take off your land?— All sorts. 1 used to take off mangolds. I have had mangolds 50 Ib. in weight taken off th" land. It is quite useless for that now; they would rot with the flood. I.'!. You have outfall drains into !he Waihou River? Yes 14. Are they liable to blocking up by the silt?— Yes. 15. Have you ever tried to clean them out?-- Yes. 10. They have been blocked up again/ Yes. The members of the Commission saw one drain completely blocked up. 17. they are all affected ?—Yes. 18. About the river itself: In the early days, twenty or thirty years ago, >vhat depth of water was there' The river wa-- a good depth then. 10. Have you any idea of the depth?—l should think it would average fully 10ft. 20. Are you considering that ai high tide—al the highest / -No, at half-tide. The steamer ■■ Stmt '' came up with Sir George Grey in 1870. The " Sturt " drew 7 ft. 6 in., and the steamer

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