DAMAGE TO CITY STREETS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24632, 31 July 1945, Page 4

DAMAGE TO CITY STREETS

# WORST RESULT OF SNOWSTORM ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ESCAPED LIGHTLY “The worst result of the snow after the long run of bad weather will be the ultimate harm to the roads," reEorted the works committee to the ity Council last evening. “Because the summer sealing programme was badly delayed on account of rain, many of the roads were unfitted for a rigorous winter. Hie results of the lack of sealing and the saturated condition of the roads have been showing.up over tne last few weeks with the appearance of pot holes, irregularities, and road breaks.. The continuation of these troubles in an accelerated and accentuated form can be expected over the next few weeks, The ultimate damage cannot be properly assessed, but it will be very high. ’ The record snowfall in the city was 11 inches. ‘ ~ At Sumner, the fall was lighter than in the city, and dispersed fairly quickly. Over the remainder of the city the fall varied from about seven inches in some of the southern suburbs to nine inches at Moorhouse avenue and 12 to 14 inches in Papanui, Shirley, and New Brighton. Snow Damage to Trees Although every park, avenue, and plantation had suffered from the snowstorm, those where the trees and shrubs were more mature, particularly Linwood Park, Abberley. Perk, and Risingholme, were severely damaged. Large pine and macrocarpa trees suffered most. The Bottle Lake plantations escaped lightly. Snow damage cost the reserves department approximately £4OO in wages, and unless August brought fine weather, the department would be “properly caught out" with its planting programme. Measurements taken in the open in several of the parks showed a depth of snow averaging from 10 inches to 14 inches, while at Bottle Lake it was two feet deep in places. The absence of wind and the subsequent fine weather undoubtedly saved the city’s electrical undertaking much damage, reported the electricity committee. . A contributory factor to the absence of accidents or fatalities was unquestionably the satisfactory operation of high-tension protective equipment. The maintenance and checking of a large amount of this equipment were part of the department’s technical work continually in progress. During the emergency all efforts were concentrated on restoringservice by temporary connexions. This involved a prolonged subsequent task of making all this temporary work permanent. . Electrical Engineer’s Report A report by the chief electrical engineer (Mr J. C. Forsyth) said no damage was done to the underground cables, but the 11,000-\olt overhead lines' were affected at two »points where branches of trees fell across the conductors. The 3000-volt overhead system sustained no breaks, though some of the conductors were considerably stretched and would require retieing. The part of the system which suffered most was the consumers’ services in residential areas, where the smallest sizes of conductor were used. Approximately 850 consumers’services were broken and fell to the ground. Five of the department’s poles were broken, . , . All the committees praised the work of their staffs. The chief electrical* engineer reported that few linesmen and substation fitters heard the message broadcast at intervals during the early morning requesting them to report, but in a short time 13 linesmen and 15 other men reported for duty on their own initiative. The reserves committee reported that one' man had trudged through the snow from St. Albans to the pig farm at Bottle Lake. The works committee also recorded its appreciation of the Drainage Board, Tramway Board, Post and Telegraph Department, and the Public Work? Department, and of contracting firms. Emergency Work “It is felt that the council should realise at this stage the unusual amount of emergency work that has been carried put this financial year, and the effects of the continued bad weather over a long period,” reported the works committee. “Throughout the autumn at leaf fall almost every week-end was sufficiently stormy to necessitate the turning out of men to clear gratings and to deal with deljris. Then came a week-end of flooding, peace celebrations, with their heavy street cleaning, and now the snowfall. These emergencies'seriously affect the finances of the council directly with the very high cost of overtime, and indirectly by the men being taken from their usual duties, so delaying ordinary maintenance and constructional works.” The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews), who is ill, forwarded his appreciation of the self-sacrificing character of the work qf council employees, and, on the suggestion of the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. M. E. Lyons), the council passed a motion expressing sincere commendation to them and Government departments. Cr. L. G. Amos said the snowstorm raised the need for such an organisation as the E.P.S. The calling of volunteers for such worses clearing footpaths was worth consideration. •