EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19734, 26 September 1929, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.

POSITION IN WESTPORT. .SPECIAL TO TBX P8853.) WESTPORT, September 25. Yet another earthquake legacy has been brought to light with the blockage of sewers especially in the lower end of the town What is known as the Leaver Settlement is built mainly on a very sandy soil, and this suffered a severe shaking. When the drains were Hushed by the Borough Engineer no breakage was evident, the sandy soil evidently absorbing much of the water and drainage. It has since become necessary to replace the sewers for many cnains.

Perhaps the most serious aspect m regard to this problem lies in the change of levels caused by the upheaval Many of the drains have subsided and in one case the pipes are slanting away from the town instead of towards it

Quite a number of local residents nave taken advantage of opportunities to visit Lyell and see the big slips. As the distance to be traversed on foot is only fixe or six miles, the trip is an easy one and has proved a source oi wonder to all visitors. The Christmas holidays will very probably bring large numbers of tourists to visit the scenes of the disaster, now that through motor communication with Nelson is available by way of Maruia. Some of the business firms have replaced their damaged windows with the finest fronts and the result is most pleasing, showing, as it does, a fine spirit at a time when economy is the burning question. The Relief Committee has dealt with a very large number of applications and all classes of the community have received the help most gratefully. All chimneys are now very much snorter, some being only a few inches above the ridges of the roofs. The workmen deserve praise for the excellent workmanship put into all the relief work. The twisted line which runs to the entrance of the "harbour has been straightened and repaired in preparation for the extension of the walls out to sea as provided for by a Government grant this year. This should result in a decided improvement to the bar and make it possible for larger ships to enter. No detailed accounts of the Little Wangnnui flood have been received. Several Westport residents either owned or had interests in farms in this region and they have lost a very large sum. \part from the loss of stock, which is yet not accurately known, the washing away of the soil is most serious. Some of the tine river flats which grew abundint grass during the whole of the year have quite vanished, leaving a boulder-strewn riverbed in their stead. One can quite understand the need for an immediate survey of the dams in all rivers, especially the Karamea, considering that the wettest part of the season is now approaching.