FORTNIGHT’S JOB

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20185, 1 March 1940, Page 9

FORTNIGHT’S JOB

CUTTING OF TRACK FLOOD-BLOCKED ROADS WANGANUI DISTRICT MANY BRIDGES DAMAGED (Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, this day. A fortnight will elapse before the horse track is opened through the road between Raetihi and Pipiriki, according to advice received by engineers of the Public Works Department at Wanganui. There are ten large slips between Raetihi and Half Moon, bridge and a big washout three miles in from Pipiriki. Mr. Frank Hermans, engineer-in-charge of road construction in the Wanganui district, who has returned to Wanganui after having inspected the damage on- the Wanganui River road, states that this mainly consists of washouts. There are few slips in the sections where the road is high above the Wanganui River. Bridge Under Water The low level bridge near the old flour mill at Pipiriki is still covered with water and the road is heavily silted. A few cuttings north of Jerusalem has been blocked with silt. In some of the low-lying parts where the road has been built up on the river side the clay has become saturated with flood waters and disappeared. All the bridges are standing, but many of the approaches have gone. One big gap has been scoured out at Whataumu and an extra span will have to be added to the bridge. In other places large culverts will have to be put in. The up-river road from Wanganui is open for only 15 miles and the steamer service has been resumed to give access to up-river settlers. The river left 6ft or more of silt in some of the low-lying parts. The metal also has been washed away. Woolslied Swept Away During the flood a large woolshed on the river flat near the Matahiwi landing was swept away. The Public Works Department has 45 men working on the Wanganui River road carrying out temporary repairs to give the settlers access along stretches where the road is reasonably clear. Much silt will have to be moved by machinery when the road dries out sufficiently to work. The Ruapirau swing bridge, which spans a deep gorge, narrowly escaped being washed away. Much driftwood was swept down in the torret from the higher country. The Public Works Department gang worked during the peak of the flood clearing wood from the bridge.