FLOOD DAMAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 11

FLOOD DAMAGE

ESTIMATE OF £20,000 THE WANGANUI DISTRICT ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIRS [by TELEGRAPH —rHESS association] WANGANUI, Wednesday Although the final estimates are not yet available, it is believed that last week's floods cost the Wanganui district at least £20,000. The most serious damage in the district controlled by the Public Works Department from Wahganui occurred along the "Wanganui River Road and it is estimated it will cost £7OOO to put the road in order again. Damage to the Toparapara road, leading to Raetihi, is estimated at £2500 and it will cost from £I4OO to £ISOO to remove slips and repair washouts on the Pipiriki-Raetihi road. Much damage occurred in the Mangapuma Valley, Mangatiti, and on the Raetihi-Ohura Road. In these areas it will be necessary to replace three bridges, costing up to £2OOO each. A temporary bridge being built over tho Mangnnui-To-Au will cost nearly £6OO. The total damage in Rangitikei County is estimated at about £4OOO. This includes three bridges—the Hautawa Bridge on the Otairi station, Morton's suspension bridge over the Turakina River and the bridge over the Mangapapa Stream. Damage in Waitotara County is estimated at about £2OO. Chief damage was to the Raorikia Road, where timber was piled in a cutting. It will be three or four davs before the Raorikia Road is open.

Damage in Wanganui County was mainly in the upper reaches of Wangaelui Valley and on Field's Track, where there were many big slips. Bulldozers are employed on both roads clearing slips. The damage will amount to more than £SOO, apart from the damage to the riverside esplanade, of which an estimate has not yet been formed. The cost to the Wanganui City Council of cleaning up the silt and other work, particularly in tho Wanganui Fast area, will amount to about £2OO.