SURVEY OF DAMAGED ROADS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1931, Page 15

SURVEY OF DAMAGED ROADS

REPORTS OF EXPERT OFFICERS.

NAPIER-GISBORNE RAILWAY

Napier, Fob. 9. • The engineer-in-chief of the _ Public Works Department, Mr. K W. in an interview to-day, contrasted the Hawke’s Bay earthquake with that which • occurred at Murchison in 1 - • He said the teverity was about the same, but the more recent one had not caused such extensive damage to roads and the back country. State officers returned this morning from observing the Napier-Wairoa Road, and that the damage to the road and railway was not neariy as extensive as was at first thought. Where bridges were down, three railway viaducts would, be used in the meantime, but it was'anticipated that by the end of the week the whole length of the road from Napier to Wairoa would be A portion of the road, known as Devil’s Elbow, which common report stated had. completely disappeared, Mr. Furkert said, contained a number ot slips, but could be made fit for traffic in a few days. . Referring to the Napier -Gisborne railway, Mr. Furkert said the damage to West Shore, Napier, was the greatest problem, and he saw no good In proceeding with the work at the further end in the meantime, as he could use the men in road repairs. He anticipated, however, that in five or six weeks all damages to the line,, including West Shore, would be rectified. The effect has been most peculiar. In the West Shore end, huge holes had opened on the traffic way, into which cars fell and went almost out of Bight, the tops in one or two instances show-

The work to clear the road round the Ahuriri Bluff, Napier, would be commenced to-morrow. Steam shovels and all Public Works plant had 'been requisitioned. His information- was that at least five motor-trucks were buried under a slip. . - .' , Surveys were being carried out m the harbour to verify statements of masters of merchant ships, who reported shoaling in the roadstead. As far as the inner harbour was concerned, the Veronica should be able to be towed out stern first on the first full spring tide. The Tongoio Lagoon, on the NaipierWairoa Road, which was 10ft deep, could now be crossed on foot, but still a bridge stood at its normal height. At Mohaka, Public Works officers reported a very strong smell of sulphur.