Flood Danger Still Exists At Hokitika

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1947, Page 8

Flood Danger Still Exists At Hokitika

Fears that Hokitika may be subjected to another flood similar to that which caused heavy damage on. Monday night were, revived today when there were indications that the sandbank blocking the mouth of the river was building up again, under the influence of heavy southerly fleas driving right into the river. The break-through early yesterday morning carried away onlyportion of the north end of the sandbank and while the main bank remains there is a threat that the river outlet will be insufficient to cope with any abnormal flow, resulting- in the river again overflowing its banks in the town area.

It is estimated that the flood will cost shoppkeepers and businessmen in the worst affected area over £2OOO, in .the. replacement of damaged stock, shop, fittings, floor . coverings and wallpapers. The heaviest losers were probably. Messrs .Griffin and Smith Ltd,, hardware merchants, and the Hokitika Guardian. Company. In eaeli of. these, the loss is estimated at approximately . £2OO. Cl.aahing-up Process

The cleaning up process in Hokitika yesterday was long and tedious. In addition to the silt and water removed from the interiors of the affected. buildings, there was a considerable amount of driftwood and rubbish 1o be carted away from the main streets.

Utilising its trailer pump, the-Ho-kitika Fire Brigade did great work in drying out cellars and other places where the water remained after the flood receded. In fact, the trailer pump was under such a .continuous strain that there was a mechanical failure during the afternoon and it had to be withdrawn for repairs.

The Hokitika Harbour Board about six weeks ago received advice from the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, that it was intended to carry out protection works at Hokitika, and that they might mean the end of Hokitika as a workable port. The Minister sought the. opinion of the board on the' proposals and its reaction was that, as a harbour authority, it had no comment to offer, being interested mainly in the protection of the town from flooding, such as occurred on Monday night. Alternative Schemes Alternative, schemes were suggested by the Minister. The first was the construction of a wall of quarry stone from the railway bridge to the sea on the north side of the river, at ah estimated cost of £lOO,OOO. The second scheme was to place quarry stone at the back of the north training wall (now in a bad state of repair) from the railway station to the signal station, with some rock on the river side to form. an apron, the estimated cost of this work being £25,000. The Harbour Board.suggested that the Minister Should consider the construction of. a wall, either in stone or concrete, about 20 fpet behind the existing north wall and fill the gap with river stone. The board raised no objection to. the proposals to build one or other of the walls and further action by the Minister has been awaited.

Air Service Resumed

The Hokitika-Nelson air service, which had to bb cancelled yesterday owing to the water damage to the planes in the hangars of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd., on the Hokitika aerodrome, was resumed today.

A Dominie plane has been obtained on loan from the National Airways Corporation and will be used for the service until the overhaul of the company’s planes is completed. The plane left at 9 a.m. today, instead of 10.30 a.m., as the pilot was required to fly through to Wellington to pick un another plane.