40

[T. N. E. KENNY.

C—l 4.

29. As far as the rock is concerned, the cross-sections 10 and 11 show the rock?— Yes. 30* The Chairman.] The rock is between 10 and II /—Yes. [Plans put in—Exhibit 9.] 31. This plan was produced for what purpose/ The proposed wharf at Paeroa, just below the bridge. . . . 32. Mr. Moresby.] You have made many observations from time to tune With regard lo tins river, as shown in your evidence given before the parliamentary Committee? Yes. 33. You have observed certain points on the river from time to time/—Yes, I live on the river. _ . ~ ~ , 34. Since you gave your evidence before the Committee, have you made any further observations or examinations? —Yes. _ 35. Recently have you made any?— None except when I went up in my boat the other day. 36 You or'your son have a launch, and you are frequently on the river?— Yes. ■',7 Taking the river down as far as Te Puke Wharf, have you noticed any material changes in the river since you gave your evidence previously/- I have noticed the bank extending down the river. I am referring to the place opposite the boat-shed, where the boats used lo he always in comparatively deep water. 38 There is an accretion to that bank just below your house?— Yes. 39. .Limiting yourself to the Ohinemuri River, have you noticed whether the banks are pinched in since you gave your evidence/ —Yes, very much. (0 'Do you consider that thai river is able to carry as much water now as it did when you gave your evidence before the Mines Committee?—lt will carry as much water, but it will not take the same amount of flood-water to go over the banks. 41. Are you able to say whether that river has filled upon the bed .' Yes, m places. 12. Right down to the Junction? Yes. ~,,.,, t i ,*i 13 \t the Junction itself, referring particularly to that island which has formed al the llape Crock—has thai island got much bigger ?—Very much bigger since the photograph was sent lo the Mines Committee. II Have you "-ot any ~f the negatives of those photographs. i«-s. 15 Would il be possible to get copies from the uegatives?—Yes, I think so. Hi' You say that the island is getting bigger: has it risen or got longer/ -Both. hast summer between' the original island-bank and our bank it was out of you, depth. Now Ido no, suppose there is 2 ft. of water. That is since last summer. 17 It used to be out of your depth?— Yes, we used to bathe there. 48. Has it extended down the stream a. all/- Yes, a good deal Within the last two or three """"i'q' In your opinion, is this an obstruction to the navigation of the river?— Undoubtedly. oil' The Chairman.] The bed of the Hape Creek—has thai risen very considerably?— Yes, [t 7JW YOU see the small steamers of the Northern Steamship Company- ihe " Rotokohu," &C.-have they any difficult; in getting through this place to get to Ohinemu,,/I have not Noticed lately, but about six months ago she could only get up on the top ol .he tide ' me 5 a 2 n : , ago, opposite Hape Creek what par, of the river did the big steamers come up by /-They came quite close in: you could from the bank touch hamls with the PM T 3 g T B i- not true that people have handed letters on board/-Yes: I have seen a man jump ll])0a ;,i; Th e r e was deep water close in to Hape Creek where now there is none. 54. Mr. Moresby.] I think you know the river right across from your house at the Hap, to 1'' e \St;y^orres P onding change taken place in the river in any other place?-! do not think "' 50 What was the greatest depth that you found recently, during the las, two or three months? _I have not sounded, bu, I have never touched anywhere. I should say there ,S about 4 tt. ol water in the channel. 57 The channel is fairly close in, what channel there is I—les. _ 58 Generally in your opinion, is the junction of ihe two rivers still filling up : is the both,,,, of the'rv "ot noShallower /-I should not think so: on account of the two currents coming looelhei ihcre Hie,-;is always a scour fro,,, the Waihou. Of course, as the channel gets contracted iC U down as far as Te Puke. , you say whether the river ■*- • - M Zftt was 2 in. higher at my Kaeroa Township when Ac flood was on?-N 0 ; £" Ilav'e You anyknowledge 6f what damage was done to gardens, buildings, and business of the land?— No. CO. I thought you had gone into that rather fulh / -No.