ROADS SCOURED OUT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21385, 21 April 1944, Page 5

ROADS SCOURED OUT

WAIKOHU COUNTY RECENT FLOOD DAMAGE Tlie Wnikohu County Council, at yesterday’s monthly meeting, undertook to give Mr. William Bruce what assistance was possible .to enable him to reform the access to his property, the road to which was completely scoured out during the recent floods. Mr. Bruce appeared before the council and informed the members of tile position lie was in. An estimate submitted by the engineer showed that alternative access would cost approximately £3OOO. When giving its assurance, the council pointed out that tile cost of a new road would have to lie borne by the property-owners concerned. The council’s attention was drawn to the number of stray horses on the roads in the Mangatu district. Numbers were roaming freely on the roads, especially at night. It was decided to issue a general warning that prosecutions would ensue if the practice was allowed to continue. Mr. C. Gaukrodgor stated that during the past week three accidents arising front this new hazard had narrowly been averted. The engineer reported that a bulldozer had been purchased and was expected to arrive shortly. Heavy rain on March 23 brought down more slips on the Poututu highway, in the Waihuka riding. These were cleared and wash-outs were filled and metal was being laid on some of the bad places. In the Mangatu riding further slips had occurred opposite Omapero station, but these had been cut back sufficiently to allow traffic to pass. The road through the silt at the .Whaeao bridge, in the Waipaoa riding, was built up'with metal. Slips on the Mnknra and Armstrong roads also had been cut hack. The Te Hau road was badly silted again last mouth, the river coming over the stop-bank and approximately 23 chains of the road were under water for a fortnight. Slips on the stock track in the N gat aim riding had not yet been cleared. The Kanakauaia road was reported to be in a very rough state and required cleaning up and metalling. On Waihora road the bridge had been pushed about 18in. out of alignment and needed pulling back and strengthening. Kirkpatrick's road would require a great deal of work to make it even a buggy road. A Gazette notice was received advising that the Waikoh l Countqy and Town Board (Te Kuraka) were to have two representatives on the Poverty Bay Electric-Power Board. Mr. C. O. Hansen wrote inquiring whether Mr. H. H. Biddles was entitled to a rebate for rates stated to have been overpaid.— Tlie letter was received, it being stated that the rates were correctly charged. The secretary of the Poverty Bay General Labourers’ Union wrote asking for a revision of travelling and horse allowance for employees.—Mr. M. Doyle was appointed to represent the council to discuss the matter. The Inspector of Stock wrote stating that he would be prepared to give evidence if. after inspection, in his opinion the clearing of noxious weeds had not been carried out properly on properties in the county.—lt was decided to issue summonses against two ratepayers for failing to cut varigated thistle. The Hon. P-. Semple. Minister of Works, advised that he was unable to give favourable consideration to a request for assistance in the erection of a bridge to give access to Mr. P. H. Sheriatt’s property. A cheque was received for 75 per cent of rebates due to the council under the counties insurance interim scheme; the amount being £96 4s 3d. Those present at the meeting were Messrs. A. A. Fraser, chairman, H. H. Dods, J. B. Williams. H. C. Boys, H. J. F. Tombleson, and C. Gaukrodger.