WATAROA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1949, Page 2

WATAROA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent].

Last week was an exceedingly wet one, as indicated by the fact that in one period of twenty four hours there was about a foot of rain. A deal of damage was done to the roads of South Westland. On the main highway at the Wataroa bluff a big slip occurred south of the traffic bridge, but it was smartly cleared with a Works Department bulldozer in charge of Mr. Dousen, who worked during the night under rough circumstances and re-opened the road for traffic. Mr. Dousen deserves much praise for the arduous job he carried out smartly. Many creeks broke their banks and flooded settlers holdings and scoured the highway very much. Mr Dan Dennehy, of Barrytown, was a visiter here during the storm. Mr. G, Thompson has started out to assist Mr. Allan Cron to bring his cattle to the sale here. No doubt the road will be difficult after the downpour, and it is possible men will have to come ahead of the cattle to open the track.

Farmers anticipated some losses, as with such a lot of water, some stock must have been trapped by the quick rising flood. The Bobby Calf Lorry had to turn and bring the calves back to there owners. The Cream Lorry was two days overdue, being unable to negotiate bridges. A couple of loads of cattle went through from Fox Glacier, just before the roads were eroded, while a quantity of whitebait that also was sent forward commanded doubtlessly an extra good price at C’histchurch. The Milling undertaking was held up at the we-ek-end and at Dry Creek, Tetohi, the rains caused very serious erosion. The creek cut through the farm of O’Neill Brothers, creating .quite a ravine in the direction of the homestead. Here is a case for immediate action to save some of the best land in South Westland. The local chairman of the Federated Farmers, who has viewed the position, intends to bring it speedily under the notice of the authorities. If made in time a protective work will save a disaster.

The men in charge of the roads and of the grader are to be complimented on th e way they coped with as great an inundation as South Westland has for many years experienced. Prompt attention enabled traffic to continue with only slight interuptions. Mr. Robinson has arrived to act as herd tender in this district, and has quickly got into his stride. ,