NEW BRIDGE OVER ORETI RIVER

Southland Times, Issue 23376, 7 December 1937, Page 6

NEW BRIDGE OVER ORETI RIVER

PROPOSAL OF MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD STEP TO OVERCOME DANGER OF FLOODING The flooding of the Oreti river at the Iron Bridge, on the Lorne-Tuatapere main highway, has caused the Southland County Council considerable concern for a number of years, and recently the county engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) submitted to the council a comprehensive report in which he set out proposals for overcoming the flood danger. These proposals were referred to the Main Highways Board. At the meeting of the council yesterday advice was received from the district representative of the board (Mr W. G. Pearce) that the board had approved of a proposal to erect a new bridge 1000 feet long, estimated to cost £18,500. The County Council’s contribution to this work was assessed at £l5OO. The board considers that the county engineer’s proposals, which would permit of the roadway being flooded for a distance of 18 chains, do not adequately meet the position and it has approved of an alternative proposal designed to cope with all but the most exceptional floods, and capable of being enlarged in scope to deal even with these, if it should be found desirable at a later date. This proposal involves the construction of a bridge 1000 feet in length with stop banks both up and downstream to confine the flood flow, and sufficient channel enlargement to pass floods of 3000 cusecs under the bridge. The board has given careful consideration to the matter of a contribution from your council and has decided to assess the Southland County Council’s share at a fixed sum of £l5OO. The work will be carried out by the Main Highways Board.

Cr L. A. Niederer: It’s going to be a bit expensive, isn’t it? Cr J. McNeill: £l5OO is a bit of a “block.” I don’t see how much good is going to be done unless a tremendous lot of banking is carried out. The chairman (Cr A. S. McNaught) said that if there was an assurance that the bridge would carry the floodwaters at all times the raising of the road could easily be carried out. Cr McNeill: £l5OO is a bit of a hurdle and I don’t feel disposed to agree to it. The county clerk (Mr H. C. Gimblett) reminded the meeting that the County Council had no option. The advice was clear on that point, he said. Cr Niederer: I think we should go on with it. It has caused a lot of trouble in the past. Cr McNeill: The Wallace County is going to get more benefit than anyone else, and I think it should help. They should be approached for a contribution.

He moved that the Wallace County Council be asked to give assistance. “They can be informed that the improvements to the road will be more advantageous to Wallace,” he added. Cr G. A. Wraytt: They already have said they want to help, haven’t they? The motion was seconded by Cr G. W. Whittingham and carried.