FLOOD DAMAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 14

FLOOD DAMAGE

WEST COAST AKEAS ROADS SUFFER SEVERELY WORKERS' NARROW ESCAPES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GREYMOUTH, Friday Although practically no rain was recorded in Grevmouth yesterday afternoon, there was a heavy fall in the back country, which caused a considerable rise in the Grey River.

UnjJor the strain of an eight-knot current the starboard anchor chain of the steamer Kartigi suddenly snapped. However, advice had been received earlier than a flood was likely, and the vessel was fully moored, her port chain cable and ropes standing tho additional strain placed on them. Reports indicate that the most serious damage done by last night's torrential rain occurred at Waiuta, where the Blackwater Goldmining Company's plant suffered severely. Flood waters carried away the intake, dam and water race supplying power for the Pelton wheel and for the hydroelectric power supply. As a result the company's sawmill is idle, and it*is not expected that operations will be resumed for several days. Sluicing operations have ceased, but it is hoped have repairs effected by the end of next week. ( Townships Isolated Traffic and footbridges crossing Bi?j River near tjie Big River township were carried away, and it is estimated that flood waters flowed from oft. to Gft. above the level of the bridges. The road was badly damaged. No damage of a serious nature is reported at the Big River mines. Both Big River and Waiuta were isolated, but reports late to-dav indicated that tho road to Waiuta had been cleared. Over three and a-half miles of road between Reefton and Springs Junction, in the Maruia hot springs area, giving access to Lewis Pass, were covered by slips, many of which came down on both sides of the road and caused blockages in the Inangahua River. Many narrow escapes are reported among workers engaged on the road. Four men living about 17 miles from Reefton, on the road to Maruia. were caught between two slips, both of which came down close to their huts. They were able to escape from the predicament before further slips and flood waters caused them injury. The men lost all their personal belongings. Weeks of Repair Work

Exceptionally heavy rain was experienced beyond Reefton and in the steep country through which the road passes and many large slips occurred. Some of the worst damage was done in the vicinity of Crushington. Activities were concentrated in this locality to-day, with the result that a temporary road was opened to traffic. This evening it was reported that there was a blockage of the Mar lira Road between Murchison and Station Creek. •

It is estimated that the road from Reefton to Springs Junction will not be opened for a month or six weeks and that it will take six months fully to restore the surface. ,

Residents of Crushington, about six miles from Reefton, suffered severely. Practically every house was inundated and in some cases the depth of water exceeded . 4ft, Undoubtedly the damming up of the Inangahua River by slips was tho cause to-day. The secretary of the Grevmouth branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association, Mr. W. I'. Harley, has received advice from Reefton that the Lewis Pass Road to Christchurch is blocked.