ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1941, Page 6

ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE

STAFF AND MEN THANKED

The cost of making good the damage to city roads and streets, .removing slips, and repairing services may run j into £10,000 or £15,000. said Councillor W. Appleton, chairman of the works committee of the City Council, today. jjThe main trouble occurred at Karori, Wadestown, and Kaiwarra, where it was impossible for the stormwater channels to carry the water. # "Although damage to private property occasioned by an excessive downpour in storms is not a legal liability of .the City Council/ said Mr. Appleton, "the policy of the council is to assist wherever possible, and this was done yesterday to the utmost." Mr. Appleton said that till late last evening the City Engineer and his staff were grappling with the difficulties. Mr. Luke had been soaked through twice yesterday, and when Mr. Appleton was speaking to him he was equipped with gum boots and ready to go out again. A high tribute should be paid to the engineers and their staff for splendid work under most rigorous conditions. Unfortunately, said Mr. Appleton, the heavy soaking rains of August had not had time to dry out, and the tremendous downpour of the last two days had brought about slips in all parts of the city, and suburbs where banks and batters had stood for 40 or 50 years. EMERGENCY FUNDS NEEDED. "I do not know where we are going to get the money from," said Mr. Appleton, "because the damage caused in August runs into from £4000 to £5000. The position is that all of the street works vote would be more than absorbed in clearing up the debris, in repairing stormwater drains, and in the erection of walls." Mr. Appleton stated that he proposed to call a meeting of the works committee on Monday afternoon to review the whole position.