NUHAKA RIVER ROAD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18756, 12 July 1935, Page 11

NUHAKA RIVER ROAD

DEPLORABLE CONDITION A MEANDERING STREAM (IT nr ft Id Correspondent.) A deputation from Nuliaka, comprising Messrs. H. Shilton. C. Smith, and Ilona Smith, waited on the Wairoa Bounty Council to try and get'- sometiling done to open up the Nuliaka River road so that the settlors could get their stores in and the produce out. Cr. W. Tail, representing the riding, introduced tin- deputation, ancl gave a graphic account ot the damage done to the load by slips and erosion caused by the shifting liver. JL. admitted it was useless trying to do too much until the country, winch had been badly shaken by earthquakes, settled down, nut every ol tort should be made to open up as much of the road as possible, say, to Air. Tidswell’s or to Mr. Wi Smith's, but- il was hopeless at present to try aim reach Mr. Byrnes’ station. The native owners were behind in their rates and they were willing io work them off on their road by contract. There was a piece of bush that might lie conserved, and that might help to stop erosion; ho would like that looked into. The. county engineer’s report on the matter was read, as follows:—"This road is only open for traffic as far as Mr. Tidswell’s with a rough bridle, track. The creek and gully wash-outs further on are still slipping. The only practical way to deal with this load, without heavy expenditure, is to open up a rougli road for the summer season. Ttie country this road runs through is very unstable, being mostly old slips or river deposit, and badly shaken by earthquake and if, will take a long time to settle down and is likely to slip badly every winter after heavy tains. The chairman, Cr. A. G. Nolan, admitted the serioiisness of the position. As they had full reports the council would consider the question, and everything possible would he done, hut. not a great, deal I ill I,he. spring. It, would he a Jong time till fhe road was as good as it had been during the past two or three years. They might he able to get ,-i rough sort, of road till the country settled down. Mr. Skiitou and the other members of the deputation ltlid little to add to the able opening by Cr. Tait and after thanking the council withdrew.