FLOODING AT WAREA

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1935, Page 12

FLOODING AT WAREA

BRIDGE STRUCTURE IN DANGER. NECESSITY FOR CLEARING SILT. Regarding the flooding of his shop at Warea owing to the overflowing of the Waiweranui stream Mr. G. Lewis wrote to the Egmont County Council on Tuesday pointing out that when the water rose over Mr. W. C. Caldwell’s property it was unable to get away owing to blockage of the outlet He suggested that a three-foot culvert be put in to carry the water away and prevent it backing up into the shop. The writer also drew attention to the state of the bridge pier, which had notbepn freed of timber since the last big flcod. He said the timber was now buried with silt. In a previous letter Mr. Lewis said he would hold the council responsible for any damage due to neglect of clearing away the debris. The chairman, Cr. W. C. Green, said there was no onus on the council in regard to the matter. He said the bridge was in danger and there was a possibility of an alteration in the course of the stream. Gravel had come down and filled up under the bridge about six feet. He thought they might have the bed cleared under the bridge, but they could not accede to the request regarding a culvert over Mr. Caldwell’s property. They could not divert the river over a man’s property by pipes as suggested. He suggested that the council wait on the Warea Dairy • Company asking that it move its dam to allow the silt to be cleared away. Mr. Lewis thought the damming of the river was the cause of the water going through his shop, but that was an act of God, said the chairman. They would be in a “nice pickle” if they diverted the river. There were thousands of yards of silt up to the level of the dam under the bridge. The pier in the centre of the bridge had to be put in to save the bridge. No doubt it was detrimental as far as the collection of debris was concerned. They did not want to destroy the dam but they would have to get access.

The engineer pointed out that there would be a continuation of trouble unless the dam was lowered three feet and the shingle was kept moving through by means of a sluice gate. The chairman added that the dairy company would probably agree to a sluice gate; otherwise the dam would have to be shifted. He understood the dairy company was concerned at the position; in the next flood logs would come down and cause more trouble. They wanted to help the dairy company. Cr. Willcox said the dairy company was responsible for the dam. The council could not accept any responsibility for the flood damage at Mr. Lewis’ shop. It was only concerned with the safety of the road and bridge.

Cr. Farquhar moved that the riding members and Cr. Collins meet the Warea Dairy Company, and the motion was carried. Cr. Gibson asked if there was any neglect on the part of the council in not clearing away the logs after the first flood.

The chairman said there was none. The timber was taken away as soon as possible.

Cr. Lilley said the trouble was not over yed and there was much timber above that would come down in future floods. Cr. Gibson considered that much damage was due to people “logging up” and throwing the timber into the rivers.