FLOODING AT PUKERAU

Southland Times, Issue 23376, 7 December 1937, Page 5

FLOODING AT PUKERAU

PROPOSAL OF MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD SUPPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCIL A scheme to eliminate the periodic flooding at Pukerau was considered by the Southland County Council at its meeting yesterday. . “The flooding at Pukerau occasioned by the overflow of the Pukerau creek has now been investigated, including the proposal made by Cr Trapski to construct a channel for flood water to pass through the drainage reserve and so through the overflow railway bridge, wrote Mr W. G. Pearce, district highways representative. “The present stream channel is very badly blocked and it is considered that if this proposal was adopted the decreased flow during floods would result in increased siltation so that eventually the whole of the water would have to pass down the overflow channel. In any case investigation of this proposal shows that it would cost about £9OO more than if the existing channel was cleaned out and straightened. “The proposed scheme is estimated to cost £1784, of which the stream work is as follows:— £ New channel, 15 chains at 600 cub. yds. 450 Clearing willows, 25 chains at £6 150 Farm bridges 200 Total 800 “Please advise if your council is prepared to assist in any part of this expenditure, which will materially benefit property owners in the township.” ENGINEER’S COMMENT “It will be noted that the department does not favour the construction of a separate channel, and recommends dealing only with the existing creek,” said the county engineer (Mr G. R. Milward). “The surrounding land formation in the vicinity of the creek consists of eight to 10 feet of clay beneath which is peat or very soft material. If extensive straightening of the creek is undertaken I am of the opinion that the increased velocity of the water may cause scour of the soft material. The clearing of the willows would overcome most of the trouble, and if the council decides to contribute towards the cost of the work I recommend that a contribution be paid towards the willow clearing only. If some straightening is considered necessary later this can be easily done when the effect of the willow clearing is apparent.”

It was decided to advise Mr Pearce that the council was prepared to contribute £lOO.

There were present at the meeting:— Crs A. S. McNaught (chairman), J. Dennis, T. Golden, J. McNeill, G. Wraytt, G. W. Whittingham, F. F. Trapski and L. A. Niederer.

It was decided to apply for a grant of £lOO for forming and gravelling Mitchell’s road, Waikawa, and £l5O for the completion of Millane’s road, Gore. A request from Messrs H. A. and P. A. Price that the council consider tarsealing Racecourse road at the corner of East road was referred to the member for the riding and the engineer. “During dry weather it is impossible to keep our premises free of dust,” said Mr P. A. Price in a letter. “In our grocery department it is a real problem to protect our goods and keep them clean.” “The Waimatuku River Board will not consider giving any subsidy towards the maintenance costs of the Waimatuku bridge near Hamiltons, as it considers the work is entirely the care of the county councils, which have the power to rate for such purposes,” said a letter from the acting clerk of the board. “While the board has never yet agreed to the payment of costs in connection with the alteration of the county boundaries at this place, it is agreeable to send a deputation to meet members of both counties with a view to explaining its attitude on this matter.” It was decided to arrange a conference. BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Work was continued on reconditioning the Oreti river bridge, Dipton, said the engineer, Mr Milward, in a report on the bridge constructional work for the period ended November 26, but because of supplies of timber running out this work was temporarily suspended. The gang employed on the work was then shifted to the Iron bridge where the running boards were reconditioned and extended in accordance with the Highways Board’s requirements. Later the gang went back to the Oreti bridge. The No. 2 gang continued work on the Winton channel bridge (Winton-Gore highway) and it was expected that this work would be completed in a few days. “Satisfactory progress is being made with Mclnerney’s bridge (InvercargillTuatapere highway),” added the engineer. “Both abutments have been built and work is proceeding on the deck.” CONTRACTS LET The following tenders were accepted:— Wallacetown riding—Drain road, Spar Bush (formation and gravelling), R. R. Pullar, £6OO 13/9. Oreti riding—Eyre Creek road (formation and gravelling), A. E. Butson, £343 4/-.

Toetoes riding.—Mokoreta-Waikawa road (cutting, filling, metalling, etc.), T. A. Robinson, £293 19/6. Waihopai riding.—Mill road south (reforming and gravelling), J. Moylan, £2OB 12/-. Mataura riding.—Mataura-Clinton road (filling, formation and culverts), C. W. Hamilton, £677 8/-.