r T. K. E. KENNY.

42

C—l 4.

in bimter flood than the Ohinemuri. 155. I was informed and 1 want to know if the information ?s correct—that during the flood in January, 1 think it was, the flood-waters continued to ,-ome from Piako; and I think Mr. I.ai.ghlin gave it in evidence also that the Piako water came into the back part of his land when there was no actual flood in the Ohinemuri- that is, the flood in the Ohinemuri had gone down, but the water continued to come from the 1 ,ako and flood his land?" You have seen nothing since to alter your opinion with regard to that/—Nothing to alter my opinion as there expressed. 97 That would be due simply to the water of this watershed—the Waihou River s own watershed—without any assistance from the Ohinemuri?—No, I did not say that, 98. Is that not so?— No. ~,«,., t i t a a t m 99 Is there not sufficient water in the watershed of the Waihou to cause that flood/— M.\ evidence is that the Ohinemuri backed up as far as the Ngararahi Block 100 Question No. 160 and the answer are as follows: "I understood the affidavit to saj that it was after three days' flooding in the Waihou that the Piako broke over - It was flooding for several days before the water began to fall." What docs that refer to?-Thal refers to the water breaking from the Piako over lo Netherton. 101 The Piako water came over into Netherton?—Yes. . . 102' Question No. 161 and the answer is as follows: " I have been informed that in, I think. the January flood, the water both in the Waihou and Ohinemuri had decreased but still the water , me over from the Piako side and Hooded some of the low-lv,ng roads about the Nether on district-That is what T have heard, but Ido not know ,t of my own knowledge. [here has been nothing since t„ alter that opinion?—No: that was hearsay, of course 10.11 You do not approve of the County Council paying any of the gold duty for this purpose. You sav'fhat was intended for roads and tracks in assisting mining prospecting?-Yes 104. Do you think that the revenue is fairly spent on gasworks, or baths, or howlmg-grems / ~ T 1 You state in your evidence before the Mines Committee that that island commenced to be formed in 188 I. That would Ik- formed from a deposit of pure alluvial silt? N,T it started from a willow catching in the bank, and rubbish and stuff came against it, and gradually formed an island. ~„.., , 106.' Consisting of pure alluvial silt?-Probably and of Waihou sand. _ 107 That is what 1 mean by alluvial silt. You joined the County Council in 1886?— Yes. 108: Do you know when the River Board was formed?-No I cannot remember 109 Can you give us an approximate idea ?-No; I should think about 1888 or 1889 110. When did either the River Board or the Ohinemuri County Council take steps to deal with tint island?— They never did as far as I know. 111 That is a matter that I think might have been easily dealt withf-That is a matter for the County Council to explain, not me. , , , v , 112 Did I understand you to say that the island consists mainly of mining tailings?-Not the bottom of it—the upper surface. , 113. What would be the depth of the tailings on that island?—l do not know. 114 The Chairman.] Have you ever dug into it?— No. 115. Mr. MeVeagh.] | When you were Clerk of the County Council, were you also County n Tlo - You were here at the beginning of the activity of the goldfields ?—Yes 117. About 1895?— Yes, I was here then. , 118 There has been a vast increase given to the values of property in this district ?—Yes . thee is no doubt the mining industry has giver, a great impetus to the district about Karangahake, but the principal increase of values about here is due to the dairy industry 119 The dairy industry started within the last ten years or thereabouts?—! do not know It started subsequently to the Proclamation declaring the river to be a sludge-channel? " °121 WithTeeard to those plans, I see from the cross-sections that they appear to have been taken where the water was very deep. May I take it that Mr. Tetley was instructed to look for specially deep water?— Naturally, I suppose he would look for deep water, as ,t was to bring the water up lo the place where vessels might berth. , . , , „ c. j 122 The Chairman.] The cross-sections are taken at regular intervals from Snodgrass s Bridge down. At least they are taken at fairly regular intervals, such as any engineer would take There was no picking and choosing. 123 Mr MrTcaqh 1 Since those plans were prepared, you say that the banks have been contracted somewhat ?—I do'not know that I have said so. I believe they have been. 124 Where has the water got to?—The whole bed of the river has risen. 125. The same quantity of water is flowing down the river as before?— Yes; hut the per m-inent level is considerably higher. . ?26 \s a result of that, you have got a more rapid flow of water?-The rock indicated in the plans was uncovered: to my' knowledge it was about 8 in. out of the water, and now that has "" , MT D?£ that the same v 01,,,,,,, of water flows down the river as before?-! did not say that On account of tha denudation of the bush the water comes down more quickly. _ ' 4 28. The Chairman.] There are more freshes, you think, but the average volume coming down is less?— Yes, T should think so. 129. So that for a period of twelve months the same volume of water approximately comes you acquainted with the Waihou River?-! have been up there occasionally.