DAMAGE CAUSED

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 7

DAMAGE CAUSED

RECENT TIDAL FLOOD.

REPORTS TO CITY COUNCIL.

The damage caused to the city undertakings by the recent tidal flood formed the subject of reports presented to the Invercargill City Council at its meeting last night by the executive officers of the respective departments interested. “On Tuesday last, January 8, Numbers 1,2 and 3 Gardens were badly flooded by tidal water, as a result of which serious damage has been done,’ stated the Superintendent of Reserves (Mr B. P. Mansfield). “The full extent of the damage cannot be fully estimated yet, as the effect of saturation with salt water is slow to show on large trees. Had the flooding been followed by drenching rains, much less harm would have been done, but unfortunately, strong winds and hot dry days have made losses very extensive. “In No. 1 Gardens the bedding display is entirely ruined, the lawns are quite yellow, and all large specimen Willows and Poplars on the Creek banks are defoliolated. A large specimen of Weeping Elm near the Women’s Rest Rooms is also blackened and the borders of Polyantha Roses and Hydrangeas have suffered badly. The water in this garden rose to a depth of three feet, and was slow to drain away, so the extensive damage is not surprising. “The other gardens have suffered to a lesser extent, though the willows and poplars in particular are showing signs of serious damage. Fortunately large resowings of bedding plants are available, and after rains, the losses will be made good within the next two weeks.” The City Inspector (Mr R. Bleakley) reported as follows: “The flood in No. 1 Gardens resulting from the high tide of Tuesday last narrowly missed inundating the Rest Room. A rise of a further inch or two would have had water inside the building. The water rose to a record height at the Spey street tip, and the tipping face was washed out at several points. The damage done can be easily repaired.” Areas Flooded. “Wind banked up the tide on Tuesday afternoon, January 8, to an unusual height. The harbour gauge showed 33.8, but probably reached higher. This resulted in very considerable flooding, particularly in the gardens alongside Otepuni Creek,” stated the City Engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill). “The embankment wall from Fox street to the railway bridge was being overtopped almost throughout its length, but no breach was caused. A considerable amount of the outside facing of sods was torn down. “Water was over River Road at many places and was only a little short of getting into the Grey street sewage pumping station. Fortunately the Waihopai River was carrying very little water. Had there been a combination of tide and floodwater, the consequences would have been very serious indeed. The most serious trouble occurred at the Awarua embankment, where numerous breaches were caused and the tide-water overflowed the whole area.

“While such a flood may not occur again for a long time, it may recur, and consideration should be given to the desirability of providing a stone facing on the Waihopai wall, opposite Wellesley and Harewood, and raising its height a small amount, and to work in the Gladstone Terrace (River Road) area. The results of this tidal flood should ’■« remembered in discussing the works proposed by the County Council in that neighbourhood. Rabbit-holes and holes left by decayed construction timber above ordinary water levels, caused four leaks through the embankment along Stead street, while there were a great many similar leaks in the bank on the west side of the Waihopai.