NEAR AT HAND.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13173, 4 February 1936, Page 4

NEAR AT HAND.

MANY SLIPS ANO WASHOUTS.

COUNTY STAFF BUSILY ENGAGED.

The Pahiatua County Count-ill will have to foot a fairly heavy bill as a iresult of the storm, tor slips ancl wash-outs have occurred along most of the roads ill the vicinity oi the town.

Mr Macrae, the County overseer, has been unable to make an es j* mate of the damage as yet, tor ne lias had a lively time hustling around organising relief gangs to deal with road blockages around the district. . . The wash-out on the Pori bridge should be repaired to-day, the overseer told a? Herald representative, but motorists must proceed along the route very steadily. A gang of 12 men is engaged clearing slips and debris in the Makuri Gorge, and motorists must exercise particular care in negotiating this Section of the road. The Hinemoa road, which was impassable for about Ifour hours yesterday, is now cleared. and the Marima road is also available again.

The temporary bridge structure which was washed away on the Makuri Road on Monday has been replaced and yesterday evening the Makuri mail bus was able to pass through.

IN, THE RACK COUNTRY. Signs of the damage resultant from Sunday’s cyclonic disturbance, were fully in evidence in Kaitawa and Hinemoa districts yesterday when the mail driver went through on his daily trip. Trouble was first met on the road just past the Kaitawa bridge, where a large pine tree had fallen across a cutting, forming a natural bridge. Traffic was just able to pass under the tree, but the mail ear was less fortunate as the fallen giant had just been cut in two and some time was lost while rhe portions were dragged clear of the road. Close by it vas noticed that Mr W. Beales’ garage hail collapsed, ana his small cai was lying under the wreckage very badly damaged. Road conditions for the next few miles were practically normal, but on every hand large belts of trees and fences were razed to the ground. On Mr Andrew Knox’s property in particular a fine belt oi shelter trees was laid waste.

Continuing on the journey up the Hinemoa valley, conditions were very similar to those at Kaitawa, but all thoughts of a pleasant trip were clashed when the Hinemoa Gorge was reached. Here was trouble with a vengeance. The road at this portion between Mr John Nelson’s property and Mr Eortescue Seymour's residence, is not of the best at any time, but yesterday conditions beggared description. Almost all through tlie gorge washouts had occurred, and the road in places was as narrow as six or seven let and on top of this a large slip had been blocking the highway but this fortunately was just clear and the journey was continued.

Onc*o clear of the gorge, travelling conditions improved somewhat, but the road was covered to a depth of several inches with silt and slime. Signs of abnormal flooding were noticed here. At this part of its course the Tiraumea river flows_ through very deep and narrow chasms, with the result that the large volume of water pouring down from the higher country could not find an outlet, and consequently backed up flooding the road to a depth of several feet. Atone particular point where a now bridge had recently been erected over a deep gully ' which forms a back-wash from the river, the water completely covered the bridge. Seme idea, of the phenomenal rise of the water can he gained by the fact that at normal times the decking of the bridge is at least twenty feet from the water level, while above that the railing on the bridge is four feet high, and to have complete? v submerged this the water had* risen some twenty-five to thirty feet. Some way back on the road the motorist heard of this, hut he expressed doubts as to its feasibility, but seeing is believing. and once having seen lie was convinced that the abnormal conditions were no exaggeration.

Having so far seen tin* ravages of the cyclone, he was prepared for anything that might come, and he was not disappointed for having safely negotiated rbe road to within a hundred yards of its terminus a large wash-out was encountered, there just being clearance for the car-—a small vehicle-; a lorry travelling some distance behind was unable to proceed. On arriving safely ax- the end of the road at Mr S. CLapham's property, evidence of further phenomenal flooding was witnessed. Mr Clapham’s garage and implement shed is situated on the bank of ;1 fairlv lar^e

creek which had overflowed and covered the surrounding ground to such an extent that the water was within two inches off the roof of the shed. It was w ith air* anxious mind that the car was turned about ami the return journey commenced, and it wa s only on reaching Pahiatua again that the d river and liis companion were able to be free of anxiety.