HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

Evening Star, Issue 22954, 11 May 1938, Page 3

HAWKE’S BAY FLOODS

CLOSED HIGHWAYS NAPIER BUSINESS MEN ALARMED [Pee United Press Association.] 1 HASTINGS, May 10. Napier business men are seriously alarmed at the possibility of the loss of trade with the closing of the Waitangi bridge on the main highway to Hastings and the south. A portion of the bridge, which is a massive concrete structure, was wrecked in the flood on Anzac Day. A deputation, led by the Mayor of Napier (Mr C. O. Morse), to-day interviewed Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P., and stressed the seriousness of the position. It was suggested that a temporary wooden bridge should be erected over half the Waitangi bridge while the other half is being repaired, or that the railway bridge should be opened to road traffic. Mr Barnard replied that, although the Public Works Department wpuld repair the bridge as soon as possible, he would bring the matter before the Government. The erection of a temporary structure was not possible. WORK OF REHABILITATION WELLINGTON, May 10. Further arrangements that have been made for the rehabilitation of property damaged by the floods in Hawke’s Bay were explained by the Minister of Labour (Mr H. T. Armstrong) this evening. Mr Armstrong returned to Wellington at the weekend after spending several days in the affected area. The Minister said that since his return to Wellington he had been in consultation with the Public Works Department. Four tractors were to be sent to Hawke’s Bay to be placed at the disposal of the settlers for the levelling of ground in cases where that was necessary. The tractors would also be used for re-forming the roads. A drainage engineer and two building overseers, for work connected with the rehabilitation of houses, were also being sent to the area. He had given instructions that the farmers affected could be put on wages of £4 a week for a period of eight weeks, when the position could be reviewed. The same arrangement had been made for the engagement of farm hands employed by farmers whose property had been damaged.