ROADS AND WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1931, Page 11

ROADS AND WORKS

"NOT IRREPARABLE"

MERELY MATTER OF MONEY

The Chief Engineer of Public Works (Mr. I' 1. :W. Furkert), who returned from the' devastated area to-day, was most optimistic regarding the reconstruction of all the damaged roads ami big works in the Napier district. "None of the damage is irreparable," he said, "it is merely a matter of money." Pew of the bridges had been badly damaged, lie continued; and some hardly at all. The matter of repairs would be a fairly easy one. There was no question at present of replacing damaged wooden structures by reinforced concrete. Temporary repairs only would be made to enable the bridges to carry traffic safoly. "There is no doubt," he said, "that reinforced conercto has eorne wonderfully well 'out' of it." ' Asked as to the actual rise in the case of the Napier harbour bottom, Mr. Furkert said that it was seven feet, and that this rise was a general one for miles. There was no question of the harbour being out of business. The Veronica, drawing 13 feet, had got out, and though money would have to be spout, the harbour was still a harbour that could be made use of. Tho breakwater was not damaged at all, with the exception, of a few cracks, but the breakwater wharf was damaged, though not irreparably. . < . ■ "We should have all the streets inboth towns cleaned up in a month," concluded Mr. Fiirltert.