STORM DAMAGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4306, 19 July 1950, Page 7

STORM DAMAGE

COUNTY COUNCIL STAFF

WORK DONE DURING JUNE LITTLE MAINTENANCE DONE The iirtajority of the staff of the Coromandel County Council iWas engaged in repairing storm damage and as a result very fittte maintenance work 'had been carried out during the month, stated Mr J. T. Hinchco, foreman to the county council, when making his report for the month of June at the July meeting of the council. Deatiling the work carried out during the month the report stated: No*. 309 main highway:

“Some attention has been given to the damaged portion of this highway, approximately 40 yards of creek metal having been placed along the surface of the road. No difficulty 7s being experienced travelling over the area at present.

“Nos. 5 and 6 bridges have received minor attention. This road still requires considerable attention, especially about the damaged sections. However, in view of the highway being open for traffic, it is deemed inadvisable to do more repair work at present than is absolutely necessary. Kuaotunu: “The workmen engaged on the reading in this district have cleared most of the water tables and culverts blocked by slips caused by storm action. Small slips occurred on area’s No. 4 and 5 of the Whiti-anga-Kuaotunu road and owing to the narrow nature of this road it was necessary to have those slips, completely removed. Several loads of inetal have been placed on the damaged sections to give relief for traffic. “The decking planks for the Otama causeway have been delivered to the job and also one set of culvert pipes. The workman engaged here has this work underway. Whitianga: “Considerable erosion has occurred along Mr Robinson’s access road caused by tidal action. Owing to the sandy nature of the country some protective measures are necessary to protect the road which is at present endangered by big tides plus the south-east winds.

“It is imperative that as soon as pipes are obtained for the drainage in Mill road a culvert across this road be installed. Some of the roads in, the township area, particularly the Beach road is seriously pot holed. As there is ho way of avoiding them it is recommended that a few ‘yards of metal be made available to give some relief.

Whangapoua: “AU the work carried out on this road has been storm damage repairs to the extent of opening the road to traffic with a reason-

able margin of safety. Metal has been placed on the weak sections of the road surface where the road had become weakened during the removal Of slips. The section of this road between the bottom of the hill and Tererenga turnoff is in a very rough condition owing to lack of surfacing. Several large holes on this section have been filled.

Kennedy Bay: “On the Tokatea hill several small slips have been removed and the water tables on the western side attended to. Further attention is necessary on this road by way of metal patching, cutting back growth etc., on the eastern side of the range. This work is being arranged for with the surfaceman from Kennedy who has been workihg on general maintenance at Tuteawa. ' Port Jackson-Big l bay: “Jhe surfaceman on this section 'of road x has cleared off several small slips. He has also opened two blocked culverts plus attending to general maintenance work on areas No. 18 and 19. Port Charles-Big bay: “Good progress has been made in the district with the repairs to storm damage. Many sections of the road have been left extremely weak. These parts of the/ hill will require some surfacing materials to prevent traffic breaking through the formation. Workmen have diverted water off the road in several places on the Port Charles hill.

' Colville; “The workman employed in this district has attended to general maintenance work plus removing several small slips which obstructed the watertables at Falcon bay and alsd on the Waikawau hill section. Some protective measures are necessary against sea erosion along the road frontage between the following sections: —Big bay-junction of Port Charles; Port Jackson roads and the norther approach to Lang’s hill; between Tillers on Colville flat and the southern approach, to Lang’s hill. The spring tides plus westerly winds are causing erosion all along these areas endangering the roads construction. Colville-Coromandel: “Several small slips were removed off this stretch of road. Portions of the Colville hill 'road are showing weakness resulting from the traffic bringing the clay base to the surface. Attention.. has been given to maintenance work.

Coromandel: “Because of the urgent committments due to storm damage surrounding the district very little work has been carried out in the township area, practically all labour being utilised elsewhere.

Grader: “As per instruction No. 7 the machine is garaged at the county workshop for overhaul, the engine dismantled and prepared for refit,” concluded the report. *