RIVER BREAKS BANKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 267, 22 August 1945, Page 4

RIVER BREAKS BANKS

ASHBURTON OVERFLOWS AT METHVEN. EROSION ALONG THE HINDS. Following the north-west wind last Saturday. melting snow quickly created a fresh in the north branch of the Ashburton River, which broke its banks above the Methven auxiliary, intake on Sunday and caused minor flooding in many adjacent areas. The high-pressure water supply of the Methven township was temporarily affected. A temporary bank 1o control the river was erected on_Monday, and the County Council’s angledozer lias since been strengthening the work there. The high level of the Hinds River lately has been causing considerable erosion along the banks between Boundary Road and the sea. Many willow trees are being undermined and owners of land adjoining the river are concerned at the position. A contributory factor to the condition of the Hinds is probably the high level of ground water as a result of the wet season. Water is still lying on and flowing across several roads in the County. It lias eaten out dangerous holes in the bitumen on the Main South Road between Tinwald and Windermere. Fields on many holdings which have always been regarded as safe from Hooding under almost any circumstances are in a very soggy condition. This is not limited to the Ashburton County. In the Kaiapoi district and the Ellesmere County, land is in such a condition that a valuer from the Ashburton district who lately visited those places to value certain areas could not do so. Portions of the areas tie wished to value were under water.