FLOOD DAMAGE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13180, 12 February 1936, Page 2

FLOOD DAMAGE.

REPAIRS WILL COST £2,100. AKITIO COUNTY’S LIABILITY. On Monday. Mr A. Maylin Theed leported that the Akitio County roads had sustained considerable damage during th© storm o»f February Ist to the 3rd. The report, stated Mr Theed, was only a preliminary review and more damage might become apparent during the clearing up preliminary to the restoration. He estimated the damage at £2IOO divided up £825 on highways and £1275 on County roads. The report reads as follows: HIGHWAYS. Pongaroa Eketahuna section : Fairly heavy slipping of banks occurred throughout and many culverts were blocked. This, together with many other culverts being unable to take the water, resulted in heavy scour of road surface and consequent loss of surface metal. The most serious damage on this section, however, was the erosion or slipping of outer edge of formation over considerable lengths of the road. Pongaroa—Weber section : Minor damage only was done. Pongaroa-—Pahiatua section : Slips and blocked culverts threw a lot of water on to the road, the fine metal being considerably scoured, particularly on upper section. Some falling away of outer edge also occurred. Rimu Main Highway: Slips, blocked culverts and loss of metal occurred throughout, the latter being the most serious. Pongaroa—Akitio section. This road was very extensively damaged and is still not open for traffic but it is hoped to have a one-way track to Akitio during the next few days. Slipping was very heavy almost throughout and serious wash-outs and subsidences occurred. Ware Ware bridge was extensively 9 damaged and contractor for new bridge lost the whole of his plant, c-amp and all materials on site. The existing bridge is being repaired and an extra span added. The sea wall on the beach section was damaged and the loss of metal through scour by sea, rivers and surface water was heavy throughout. COUNTY HOADS. Glenora Hoad: The Akitio—Cadmus section was very extensively damaged and heavy slipping occurred. Metal losses were bery heavy over whole road.—Or. Hunter drew attention to the culverts on this road. The engineer explained that the road really needed raising. Cr. Hunter suggested that the engineer be instructed to go into this and fix th© culverts up permanently. Something would have to be done in any case so it would be better to make a job of it at the one time. Bigger pipes could be obtained and the only cost would be the cost between the bigger and smaller pipes as the pipes taken out could he used ’elsewhere. Akitio River Hoad: Slipping and metal scour were general but not so extensive. Mt. Arthur Hoad : Heavy slipping occurred and road was blocked. Waihi Akitio Hoad: Hoad was blocked for one day. Waihi Valley, Towai, North Range and Waipatakaka Hoads: Damage was comparatively light with exception of scour on Towai Hoad. Manuliara Hoad : New filling was damaged but was repaired and is now in use. Kaituna. Kawakawa, Akaroa Hoads: No serious damage is reported. Range Hoad : Slip at Buckingham's Bend lias subsided approximately* eight feet lor about a chain hut the road can be made round it. Slipping was heavy and filling at Devil’s Elbow was damaged. Huia Hoad: Very heavy slips occurred and also serious wash-outs. Boss of metal was heavy.—The chairman mentioned that this road needed a lot oi attention. The engineer said he had a gang on the road opening and clearing up. \\ ailioki and Waikereru Hoads: Slips occurred throughout and severe scouring of metal. \\ aiowaka Hoad: Drop-outs and slips have kept road dosed to date. Spur Hoad: Slips were heavy and some subsidences occurred. On Extension 1, slips blocked road and three large culverts were washed out. Sugar Goaf Road: Approximately a dozen slips blocked formation and will necessitate widening. Hoad was blocked by many slips and much metal scoured out. Aohauga Hoad: Slipping, scour and wash-outs occurred. Akaroa crusher road: Approximately 35 feet was torn completely out of centre of concrete lord. Hoads not specially mentioned: Damage was done to all roads to some extent and will ultimately require some expenditure l lor restoration. All available men have been engaged on flood damage, regular work being suspended.