TOWNSHIP ISOLATED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 12

TOWNSHIP ISOLATED.

GALES DESTROY ROAD. PLIGHT OF WHANGAMATA. PROBLEM OF REPAIRS. COUNCIL WITHOUT MONEY» [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] PAEROA, Thursday. As a result of the gales which swept the Thames Valley and Coromandel Peninsula recently the growing settlement of Whangamata, on the eastern coast of the Coromandel. Peninsula, is likely to be isolated indefinitely from the nearest town, Waihi, as far as vehicular traffic is concerned.

, On one night during the gales over s£in. of rain descended on the Coromandel Ranges; Culverts were quickly blocked and washouts and slips occurred over practically the whole of the 22 miles of road separating Whangamata from Waihi. The road is now utterly impassable except for sure-footed packhorses. At a point about four and a-half miles from Waihi the road has been practically washed away for two and ahalf to three miles. Over another section the foundations of the road have been swept bare of all material with the exception of huge boulders, some 3ft. in height. The road here presents the appearance of a rock-strewn river bed. At other points "the road is blocked with slips. Departmental Economy.

The position of the Ohinemuri County Council in regard to repairing the danr age will not be made easier if the Public Works Department maintains its present attitude. The following letter from the department, received two days before the gale, was read at a meeting of the council to-day:—

"In connection with the WaihiWhangamata Road, further maintenance cannot be undertaken. While it is understood that maintenance was promised for a period of three years, until February 28, 1931, the funds made available to the Minister this year under - the maintenance of roads vote will not permit of any assistance being granted toward the maintenance and upkeep of roads. As promises of this nature are made on the understanding that they will be adhered to provided the necessary funds can be made available, the work must close as further funds are not available and the present authority is exhausted." "Utterly Without Funds." The chairman, Mr. Colin Mason, said he had been amazed at the extent of the damage done to the road. The department could be asked for relief for flood damage, but the council was utterly without funds with which to lift anything in the nature of a subsidy. The department apparently had no intention of accepting responsibility. Mr. Thornton said the road had been scoured out for about three miles as the result of the blocking of cnlverts, which wero much too small at any time. Mr. Robinson held that the department should be kept to its promise.

Mr. Mason said: "It is quite evident that the department does not mean to do anything. We may just as well tell the Whangamata settlers that they are isolated and will pontfaue to remain so. Our funds simply do not allow us to help them."

It waSj decided to ask the department, in the circumstances, to adhere to the original agreement.