ROAD ENDANGERED AT HILTON

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22445, 5 July 1938, Page 7

ROAD ENDANGERED AT HILTON

KAKAHU RIVER GIVES MORE TROUBLE Rapid erosion on the bend in the Kakahu river some chains below the Barbarafield bridge was again endangering the road and Mr E. B. O’Neill’s property, the county engineer (Mr J. R. Hawcridge) reported at the meeting yesterday of the Geraldine County Council. It had necessitated considerable protective work. Trees had been pulled in under the bank, just before the recent flood, he said, but unfortunately the sudden rise in the river during the week-end had dislodged most of this work. In some places, the river had cut as much as five yards further into the bank. Another danger spot had developed above the bridge, and would require immediate attention, Mr Hawcridge said. More than £IOO had been spent during the recent floods in an attempt to stop the serious erosion at this point, the engineer told councillors, and a diversion cut appeared to be the only solution. Plans were placed before the meeting, and it was agreed to make this cut.

A card evening, organised by the St. Andrews Tennis Club, was held in the hall on Saturday evening. The prize-winners were Mrs Bannerman and Mr J. R. Trimble.

FLOODING ON MAIN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED NEAR GERALDINE “SETTLERS COULD HELP COUNTY COUNCIL” Extensive flooding of the Main South road at the junction with Coach road was the subject of a report by the engineer (Mr J. R. Hawcridge) at the meeting yesterday of the Geraldine County Council. Farm properties were also flooded.

This flooding, the engineer said, was the source of frequent complaints. If it was allowed to continue it would seriously affect the stability of the bitumen surface.

Mr Hawcridge recommended the extension of Kelman’s drain, a larger culvert under McKenzie’s road, and larger ditches along the main highway, and th'' matter was left in his hands to arrange with the property owners. It was decided to use relief labour to clean the creek which caused floodint on the Epworth road, near Temuka.

Cr. T. Lyon said the road was damaged each time the water flowed over

“Clandeboye is in i very bad state,” reported Cr. W, Buchan. It was practically under water, he said. He mentioned matters requiring attention, including a bridge he considered unsafe, and these were noted for attention. Letters about surface flooding were received from property owners. “I think settlers could help the council a good deal,” said the chairman (Mr'K. Mackenzie). Much flooding had been caused because fence clippings and similar obstructions had blocked culverts and drains. Ratepayers could see that gorse trimmings were removed.

Cr. J. Acland: Very often if they went out themselves they could clear th~ obstruction in a minute. The chairman: Such action would save water flowing about half a mile along the road in some instances. The engineer will inspect the various trouble points. Request for Culvert

A request for a culvert over a creek on Wordsworth's road. Geraldine, was received from Messrs C, Burdon, J. J. Laffey, and W. Sugrue. The creek, which crosses the road near Mr Laffey’s house, the letter said, was from time to time impassable for motor traffic and frequently so for stock. The engineer (Mr Hawcridge) said that the crossing was fairly extensively used, especially by sheep, which were driven this way to avoid the main highway. Cr. W. Buchan said that such streams were a great annoyance to drovers. It was decided to carry out the work with the assistance of relief labour. WEAKENED PIER AT ORARI BRIDGE The weakened pier on the Upper Orari bridge, on the Main North highway, is being kept under close observation, the engineer (Mr J. R. Hawcridge) reported at a meeting of the Geraldine County Council yesterday. Repairs, he said, could not be effected without closing the bridge.

EXHIBITION IN WELLINGTON x GERALDINE COUNTY SUPPORTS COURT It was decided to contribute a maximum of £2Bl toward a South Canterbury court at the Centennial Exhibition, so long as there was a South Canterbury court, at a meeting of the Geraldine County Council yesterday, A letter about the South Canterbury court was received from the Timaru Town Clerk. He said that a meeting of representatives of South Canterbury local bodies had agreed that an endeavour be made to establish a South Canterbury court on a more modest scale—looo feet, instead of 2000 feet. The estimated cost, he said, was half of the original plan. Failing this, there was an alternative proposal to contribute £ISOO toward the Canterbury court, Canterbury having stated that they would.. feature South Canterbury. The Geraldine County share for the amended scheme was £2Bl, compared with the £563 for the original scheme. The Geraldine County share for the alternative proposal (part of Canterbury court) would be £2lO. The chairman (Mr K. Mackenzie): I think it is better for South Canterbury to have a court of its own. Cr. Flatman said he was in favour of their own court or nothing at all. Crs. W. Buchan, C. Ley, and A. J. Davey said that it would be a pity if South Canterbury was not represented and the hope was expressed that other counties would give their support.