TUAPEKA COUNTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 12

TUAPEKA COUNTY.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer of the Toapeka County Council reports for the month of August that the recent heavy rains have resulted m swollen creeks, and in some cases culverts have been over-taxed. The water haa overflowed the roads, occasioning damage to thn metal. On the main highway, two miles on the north side of Wailahuna, an old stone culvert ha<6 been blocked up by willow roots. It is impossible to clear, and the oulvert will nave to be renewed in pipf®* This work has been considered for some yeare, and there is now no question of its urgency. The main highway also suffered damage near Bellamy Homostead, but when the grading has been carried out and the water-tables cleaned, the water will have a better lead, «-nd a recurrence of the trouble is not then anticipated. The Little Beaumont Creek was impassable for about 24 hours when the flood was a-t its height. The bridging of this creek ia included in the Main Highways estimates for the current year, and sanction to the estimates is awaited. The road was vcr 7 considerably flooded paal Hae s Junction School. Willows have been allowed to accumulate in this creek, and as a consequence the capacity of the waterway is impeded to a very great extent. In addition these willows shade the road, and in consequence, it is always damp. As they are quite unnecessary for protective purposes notice should be served on the owner of the property to have the willows pulled out. It would not be a big undertaking with a traction engine. At the Old Stables Island block another big scour took place owing to the culvert ■which is a double stone one being inadequate to deal with the flood water off the hill. This matter will be attended to. The open ford at the Stables Creek was another trap to motorists, but material is on order to culvert this creek. As there U formation of approaches to be effected, however, it is necessary to postpone this work until the weather is quite settled. At Miller’s Plat the Oven Hill Creek ha® caused extensive damage to the road, which became to all intents and purposes the creek course when the creek was running at peak leveL It would appear from the present evidence that the natural course of the creek was interfered with further up stream some time ago, causing a diversion overflow when in flood. It will be a very costly matter to restore the road for traffic, and it may be possible to have the road declared closed by an Order-in-Council, without causing inconvenience to the public. Many footbridges in various parts of the county are rendered unsafe, particularly at Bowler’s Creek, which was very nearly the scene of a fatal accident. This particular bridge is maintained out of the general account, and some time ago the approaches at each end were washed away by the erosion of the banks. The council spent a considerable sum in attempting to divert tho stream some fcime since without result, and the bridge was left an island in mid-creck bed. The settlers, however, for their own convenience, provided means of using the bridge by placing rough hewn trees at the ends of the partially demolished bridge. Notice® are being placed at each end of the site notifying that the bridge ie closed to pedestrians. Tuapeka Mouth Punt.—The Molyneux has risen considerably and the pontoons which arc water-logged, will not float. No repairs can he effected as they have been patched and patched. It is absolutely necessary to renew and timber approaches. The Clutha County Council has been notified through, its engineer, and the member lor the district has been asked to endeavour to secure a £ for £ subsidy to meet this extraordinary expenditure In the meantime an order has been placed for the necessary timber as the temporary arrangements arc not in the interest of safety. Main Highways.—Application has been made to the District Highways Council for payment of subsidy of £56 15s on expenditure of £l7O 5s for period, November, 1924, to March 31, 1925, and a further subsidy from March 31 to August 27, 1925, of £227 17s Id on an expenditure of £683 11s 3d.