RAVAGES OF THE FLOOD

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 5 March 1935, Page 10

RAVAGES OF THE FLOOD

ESTIMATES AT NEW PLYMOUTH CLAIMS OF BUSINESS PEOPLE GOVERNMENT TO BE APPROACHED. A decision to forward the claims received to the Government for consideration was reached at a meeting held at New Plymouth yesterday to discuss ways and means of alleviating cases of definite hardship arising out flood losses. It was also decided to request the Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr ;E. R. 0. Gilmour) to initiate a scheme of assistance either by direct appeal or by an art union. Twenty-six claims were received by the committee, 14 having reference to private residences and 12 to business premises. The amount of damage estimated in private claims was £846 6s and by business firms £BO4 16s Bd, a total of £1651 2s Bd. These figures do not include the losses suffered by larger firms such as Whites Ltd., MoGruer’s and,George and Doughty’s. . Many of the larger firms would be able to meet their losses without assistance, it was stated. It was not likely that they would be entering claims. Many of the smaller firms would have to close down if no assistance was received ,and damage to private gardens would hit some people so hard that charitable relief would be necessary: Criticism was offered of alleged causes of the flood and resultant damage. A letter will be sent to the botongh council and the committee will form a deputation to the council to ask that steps be taken at once to prevent a recurrence of tlie floods, either by dredging or by other means

POWER STATION DAMAGE.

REPAIRS MAY .COST £3OOO. The New Plymouth Borough Council received reports of the damage done to borough property by the recent floods at a meeting last night. The report, which, was submitted by the council’s engineers, stated that the damage done to the Mangorei power station was the most extensive and it was thought that an expenditure of £3ot)o may be necessary to effect permanent repairs and protect the station against damage by future floods. The council, 'however, will not be able to authorise procedure with the work until exact estimates for the major reconstruction and recon' struction work are to hand. Apart from the washing away of a portion of the tail race and bridge over the tail race,' no damage of any consequence was caused at the pow station. As a result of the flood, however, the Waiwakaiho River immediately above the power station had changed its course and had already scoured away approximately one and j three-quarter acres of land from Mr King’s property. Owing to thb configuration and weak nature of the river banks where the scour had taken place, there seemed no doubt that the river, if not checked, would continue to scoure until it completely altered its course to a position immediately in front of the power station. There was a danger that the council would be faced with considerable’expense in protecting the new rivei banks for many chains if this was allowed to take its course unchecked. The electrical engineer was instructed to submit for consideration at a later meeting a schedule showing particulars of damage caused by the recent floods to consumers’ electrical apparatus and the cost of reconditioning it. Consideration of the reports of flood damage to the electrical system were deferred for consideration at a special meeting of the committee. In the meantime, the borough engineer was instructed to submit a further report and estimates in regard tc the protection of the power house. The Taranaki County. Council will be asked to provide an adequate waterway when repairing the washout on Junction Road at the Kokakc stream and so remove the possibility of a future washout causing damage to the electrical headworks and waterworks.