Flood Damage Surveyed

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 112, 13 May 1941, Page 4

Flood Damage Surveyed

WHY FITZROY BANK BROKE Since the disastrous inundation of tho Hokowhitu area last week, many people have been asking why it should have been allowed to happen. Why were no precautions taken? Mr. id. E. Usher, consulting engineer to the ralmcrston North River Board, told the Times vesterday that several factors had played a part in the flooding. Firstly, the" flood of February, 1930, had deposited large accumulations of shingle which restricted the channel in the vicinity of Manawatu Street. Secondly, huge volumes of water not usually expected were launched into the i itzroy bend when the river broke through at Stuart’s and Anderson’s bends higher up. Mr. Fisher said the protection bunk along the Fitzroy bend had a margin of three feet over the 1936 flood which registered 17ft. 6ins. at the Fitzherbert bridge gaugo. The recent flood went to 19ft. Sins, which should have given a 15-inches margin but instead the river went over to a depth of several inches and then the banK crumbled till a torrent was pouring through. For the reasons given above the water ponded up in the Fitzroy bend till the bank was not high enough to prevent, an overflow. Mr. Fisher stated that the River Board’s groyne works have stood up exceedingly well to the force of the flood. The only damage is one grovno lost at Gosling’s across the river and three spans of a groyne at Mcßae s bend. There was no erosion at the last spot but higher up the river at btuart s bend a gap four chains deep and 20 chains long had been eaten away. Mr. Fisher considers that 40 per cent, of tho flood must have poured across Stuart’s bend across the properties of Messrs. Palmer, Oxenham and Koehler into McRae’s bend. Mr. Fisher is pleased with tho way a concrete groyne opposite the end of Albert Street stood up to tho pressure. It had been given a supreme test and much valuable information had been secured. There is a small slip along the Esplanade bank that will need attention as also will an angrylooking gap where the flood water poured back into the river at the rills range carrying away a floodgate and bridge. The break in the Fitzroy bank has been repaired in the record time of 13 hours with the aid of earth excavating machinery. CR. TENNENT QUESTIONED At his Central School Mayoral meeting last night, Mr. W. B. Tennent was asked his ideas of the Hokowhitu flood situation. The candidate voiced the opinion that the Fitzroy bank had not been high enough nor strong enough. He did not know the River Board’s programme of work ahead, but some better svstom of stopbanking should be under taken immediately. Cr. Tennent also said the happenings of last week had proved that the culverts under the streets in the course of the meandering# of the lagoon, were not large enough. There should also bo some improvement at the outlet to enable a quicker getaway.