REPAIRS TO ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 20

REPAIRS TO ROADS

COOK COUNTY ACTIVITY SETTLERS STILL ISOLATED [BT TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Wednesday Settlers in some portions of the back country in the Cook County are still isolated as a result of the flood damage, and no relief is expected until the summer. Some have been isolated since the February flood, and conditions have > been made worse by the floods in April and May, when further damage to roads and bridges occurred. In an endeavour to restore conditions to normal, the Cook County Council is employing more men than it has ever done' before. Eighty, men are now on the outside staff, in addition to approximately 100 on No. 13 scheme, and a large number also on contract work. The total number of men engaged on i;oad > work in the county exceeds 200 at present. A review of the present conditions was given by the county engineer, Mr. JL F. Jones, who stated that the fine -weather recently had assisted the staff in opening up the roads, and with three exceptions all were, now negotiable. Many side roads were not in good condition, but with careful driving could be negotiated in most weathers. As the weather permitted, work was being carried on to improve conditions throughout the county. The greatest portion of the work, however, was being delayed until the summer, when it could be carried out more economically and with greater efficiency. An expenditure of £16,000, was involved in the restoration of the damage from the three floods.