DISTRICT ROADS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 4

DISTRICT ROADS

RENEWED DIFFICULTIES MURIWAI FORD CLOSED HEAVY RAIN ON COAST SERVICES STILL OPERATING Renewed difficulties in operating the road services throughout the Poverty Bay and East Coast district developed to-day in consequence of overnight rain which flooded all the smaller streams and threatened a return to the conditions of a week ago. All road services continued to operate this morning, however, though with some minor changes in their schedules to meet the conditions.

Most,serious of .the checks to traffic this morning was that experienced at the Maraet'aha- ford, near Muriwai, where flooding of the Maraetaha Stream caused a suspension of through traffic. The service cars made exchanges of passengers and baggage at the ford' by using a small temporary footbridge, and communication between Gisborne and Wairoa, by the Morere" route, was mam'td'irie.d:'"' ' It was anticipated this morning that the ford would be usable again immediately the flooding receded. Inland Route to Wairoa

On the inland route to Wairoa, via Tiniroto, Grey's Creek was reported to have flooded again, and travellers were advised to be careful in using the route, which, however, was passable for experienced motorists. Cars and freight trucks travelled down from Ruatoria to Gisborne this morning, leaving the Waiapu Valley centre at 6 a.m., and encountered no serious difficulties, though the fords in the Mangahauini Valley, just north of Tokomaru Bay, were found to be very deep, and in the prevailing weather conditions there was every probability that they would be impassable later in trie morning. Public Works Department reports from the East Coast indicated that further slips and minor flooding had occurred on various sections of the main highway, and an engineer was dispatched from Gisborne this morning to make a survey of conditions. No details had been received this morning as to any specific damage on the route, beyond the occurrence of a road subsidence at Kopuroa, between Te Puia and Ruatoria, which had been repaired. A gang of men was at work throughout the wight on this section. Concern for Wai-o-matatini

Heavy rain was reported from all parts of the East Coast, and much concern was felt 'in Gisborne for the Wai-o-matatini settlement, where a considerable amount of material damage was done last week by flooding, and by the fall of debris from the hillside behind the village. Plans for the dedication of the Porourangi meeting-house at Wai-o-matatini, which to date have not been varied despite the loss of the Lady Alice Ngata dining-hall and a threat of damage to Sir Apirana Ng#Ea's home, "The Bungalow," may have to be revised, according to Gisborne residents in touch with native affairs. Access and accommodation for visitors is bound to be a matter of difficulty even if the present storm does not effect further damageThe Herald's representative at Tikitiki states that during the April 25 flood debris from the hillside behind "The Bungalow" piled up against the back of the house, and that sheets of iron, were used to prevent silt bursting through the rear windows of the residence. The Wai-o-matatini School has been undermined by a creek which changed its course during the recent storm. Hui Postponement Possible

The general circumstances of the settlement point to a short postponement of the Porourangi celebrations, at which it is expected two Ministers of the Crown will be present. Reporting to the chief postmaster at Gisborne, Mr. A. M. Robertson, the postmaster at Ruatoria stated this morning that heavy rain had continued overnight in that .locality, and flooding was expected in all the creeks and smaller rivers. The ford on the Gisborne side of Ruatoria was rising rapidly at 10 a.m., and there was a prospect of the afternoon cars and trucks being held up there. Further slips have occurred between Te Araroa and Hicks Bay, a section of the East Coast main highway which was damaged extensively on April 25.

At Tolaga Bay, persistent rain throughout the night, rising to a considerable volume, had again brought about a flooded condition in the LTawa River this morning, on the high tide. The river was running a banker near the township, and much pasture-land was again partially flooded, though not to the extent of last week's inundation. With the wind in the north-east, Coast residents were preparing for two or three days' rain. Road Conditions Summarised RoSd conditions throughout the Poverty Bay and East Coast district may be summarised as under: — Gisborne-Opotiki Highway.—Open. Gisborne-Hicks' Bay Highway.— Open this morning to Te Araroa, but subject to traffic interruption by rising fords at Tokomaru Bay, Ruatoria, and north of Ruatoria. Gisborne-Wairoa, via Morere.— Traffic continues by means of transfers at the Maraetaha ford, Muriwai. Through traffic not possible this morning. Gisbdrne-Wairoa, via Tiniroto.— Open this morning. Traffic conditions difficult at Grey's Creek, owing to flooding of the ford. Further Afield Reports of conditions from further afield give the following indications for travellers: — Napier-Taupo Road.—Closed. Napier-Wairoa Road.—Closed between Napier and Tutira. Napier-Wellington Road. Open via Shannon and the Wairarapa. The resident A.A. patrol, inspecting in the Wairoa district, has advised the Herald that the WairoaWaikaremoana road is open, but that care is necessary in travelling this route.