THAMES LOSSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22334, 4 February 1936, Page 13

THAMES LOSSES

AFTERMATH OF FLOODS COLLAPSE OF BRIDGES HOUSES UNDERMINED [BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] Monday Further flood damage is reported all over the Thames district. The Thames borough engineer, Mr. Bach, estimates that there are at least 5000 cubic yards of silt and mud lying on tho streets of Graliamstown and Parari. In the Karaka viaduct there are another 5000 yds. of boulders, stones and debris. All tho available men, numbering close on 200, have been put on to clearing tho streets. The Thames racecourse had Gft. of water on it at the height of the flood. The loose boxes have been badly knocked about, and will have to be reconstructed. Tho damage is estimated at about £6OO. Bridge Breaks in Hall The Tapu-Coroglen road is almost completely washed out this side of the divide, and it is estimated that about £SOOO will be needed to make it passable. The concrete bridge at Tapu, which was reported yesterday as having suffered damage, is completely broken in half. Five of the houses adjacent to the Tapu Stream were lifted bodily off their foundations, while a small cottage beyond the bridge was carried away and deposited in a near by paddock. The coast for miles is strewn with huge trees and debris. A heavy log hit the long Mata wooden bridge in the centre, making the structure into a bow, but it is still able to be used. The Waiomio Bridge has collapsed, and cars have now to ford the stream. Sheep Drowned in Valley Settlers at Waikawau, on the Thames Coast, report the heaviest flood known. Large logs cut 70 years ago were floated out of the bush and washed to sea. It is estimated that over 200 sheep wero drowned in this valley alone. Tho northern approach to the new concrete Waikawau Bridge is badly eroded. At Thornton Bay, near Thames, one house was badly damaged by a large log, which crashed through it. In the Hauraki Plains area Coxhead's Bridge, near Miranda, was washed away. The pine line from the reservoir supplying the Hauraki Plains west area was washed away at the point where it converges from the supply tunnel.

In view of the extent of the flood damage, in Thames, the Major, Mr. S. Ensor, and the borough commissioner, Mr. C. L. Grange, approached Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., for his support in obtaining Government assistance. This morning Mr. Thorn sent a telegram to the Minister of Employment, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, asking the Minister to authorise the employment of relief workers in clearing the streets, drains and water races. MINING DEBRIS COVERS FIELDS DESOLATION AROUND PAEHOA [by telegraph OWN correspondent] PAEROA, Monday The effects of yesterday's flood were widespread this morning. On some properties many tons of mining debris and tailings have been deposited and in some cases cover pastures feet deep. Farmers have been mustering stock for miles down the banks of the Ohinenuiri River. A conservative estimate places the stock losses at between 60 and 70 head of cattle, while 500 sheep and 100 pigs are unaccounted for. The Waihou River, which is fed by an extensive watershed extending back as far as the Mamaku Ranges, has been rising steadily all day, and this evening at Mangaiti and Waitoki several farms are submerged. The flaxmill of Messrs. Tate and Hodge at Mangaiti was flooded to a depth of several feet and a large stock of milled flax is under water.

WRECKAGE AT MERCURY BAY LAUNCHES WASHED ASHORE [by telegraph OWN correspondent] WHITIANGA, Monday Extensive damage was caused by the storm at Mercury Bay. Launches were washed ashore in the Whitianga River and dinghies were swept away. The beaches are littered with wreckage and the waterfront road was under water. Some houses were flooded. Fifteen hawsers were required to moor th<» scow I'aroto to the wharf.