£20,000 ASKED FOR

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1935, Page 9

£20,000 ASKED FOR

HAWERA COUNTY RELIEF RAVAGES BY THE FLOOD 'WATERS. DAMAGE IN TANGAHOE VALLEY. TEMPORARY BRIDGES PROPOSED. A decision to apply to the Government for financial assistance to the extent of £20,000 was made by the Hawera County Council at a special meeting on Saturday. The money is required to erect * temporary bridges to replace those washed away, particularly the Tangahoe River bridge, and to repair flood damage in the county. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, was telegraphed immediately. The toll of damage in the county includes the complete washing away of the Tangahoe and Ngawini bridges, the moving of the Noonan bridge three feet dowi. stream, the blocking of the understruts on the Manawapou by timber, and the straining of the main braces of Mungumungu and Ohangai bridges. The acting-engineer, Mr. F. Muggeridge, gave a detailed report to the council, which decided to effect immediate repairs to the Tangahoe and Noonan bridges. Work on the Tangahoe bridge on the main Wellington-Auckland highway will probably be started within a fortnight and a convenient temporary structure should be ready for use within a month. In the meantime traffic will be diverted via Ohangai. “There is enough damage in the Tangahoe valley to -keep a gang employed for almost a year cleaning it up,” declared Cr. T. A. Winks, in a report on the condition of the valley. “It will be a better idea,” he added, “for the council to erect a temporary bridge than to ruin . the road at Ohangai with overmuch traffic.” " . Mr. H. G, Dickie, MJ?., who was present by invitation, said a special fund for the relief of flood ravaged areas existed within the Consolidated Fund prior to 1930, when it was cut out. On Mr. Dickie’s'advice the council decided to telegraph the Minister. The council later paid a visit of inspection to . the Tangahoe Valley. Those present were Crs. E. A. Washer (chairman), C. J. Preston, A. G. Larcom, A. F. Death, T. A. Winks, J. Lander, W. Rothery and Messrs. H. G. Dickie, M.P., F. Muggeridge, acting-engineer, and Irwin, Public Works Department;