WAIMATE FLOOD DAMAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23113, 30 January 1945, Page 3

WAIMATE FLOOD DAMAGE

No Major Problems Report To County Council

“We have no major problems, in spite of the flooding,” said the chairman (Mr J. Bitchener), at yesterday's meeting of the Waimate County Council, when referring to a report on damage done to roads by a series of heavy rainstorms experienced recently in the Waimate County. “Culverts and bridges have been severely taxed, but on the whole we came out very well.” He added that roading works had been hampered by the wet spell, but had now been resumed in full.

The Upper Pareora riding and Hakataramea appeared to have been in the path of the storms, said the engineer (Mr W. P. Black). Many of the roads in Upper Pareora were badly scoured, while in Hakataramea Valley the culverts on every watercourse 'could not deal with the amount of water reaching them, and nasty gaps were scoured out at frequent intervals. Nearly six and *a half inches of rain fell in the Valley during December, and it was expected that the figure would be exceeded for January. “The storm apparently passed over the Valley in the direction of Upper Pareora, and the major streams escaped at road crossings and poured down the formations,” said Mr Black. “Driscoll’s Creek again overflowed the highway at the Belfield frontage. The grader is at the moment restoring as much of the damage as possible as far as it can up to Rocky Point.” The Frenchman’s Gully Road and Pratt's road were severely damaged in Upper Pareora riding, said Mr Black. “The abundant growth of grass along watertables and in watercourses prevented the proper getaway on the flood waters, which reached high levels at fords, debris collecting on the fences being evidence.” Home Twice Flooded

“Mrs Sewell, of Cannington, has complained that the overflow from Cannington Creek twice invaded her home,” Mr Black stated. “Inspection shows that the stream is choked with willows, and the water is being forced down the road and through her property.” Some temporary work had been carried out, and it was hoped to provide further relief by dealing with the willows. Mr Black continued that the CavePareora main highway had been flooded at Amyes’. bridge. The cut bulldozed above the bridge had opened out well, but heavy gorse below the cut had diverted the stream toward the east where the banks were too low to contain a flood. The only redress, he said, was to bulldoze the channel right down to the bridge and to lower the level of the Timaru Borough pipe line there.

The Highway to McNamara’s corner was now in order for the priming coat, which would be applied at the earliest opportunity, Mr Black stated. He added that arrangements were in train to carry on immediately with the tar priming coat of Bathgate’s road, and further drainage had been provided to deal with flood overflows which had reached the surface of that formation from the adjoining paddocks. Financial Position The finance statement disclosed a debit balance at the bank of £19,490/0/11, compared with £14,742/12/10 in January, 1944. Accounts presented totalled £6476/12/4. Receipts since last meeting totalled £2346/13/7. “We cannot have both the money and the goods,” said the chairman, referring to the increased amount of the debit balance. Mr Bitchener said that the new trucks purchased had not been paid for from the plant replacement fund. The investment of £lOOO in war loan stocks during the year, with the addition of £2OOO paid for the trucks, meant that actually they were only approximately £lOOO out; so that the position was not as serious as might appear from the financial statement.

Mr Bitchener added that a new grader, now en route from America, would cost £3OOO, but that would come into the new year. “We are in the fortunate position of having new plant and good Investments without encroaching on reserves,” he said. A formal resolution authorising the imposition of the 10 per cent penalty on rates remaining unpaid on February 28 was carried.. Progress in the collection of rates was reported by the County Clerk (Mr L. J. Collins). He said that of a total struck of £28,867, the sum of £2567 had been paid to date. This compared with £2832 paid at the corresponding date in 1944. The rates still due amounted to £26,300. At a special meeting at noon, the Council fixed Saturday as the day for the statutory half holiday in the County.

Patriotic Fund Quota Waimate County had filled the 1944 patriotic fund quota and had carried over a credit of £142 for the current year, said the County Clerk. Mr Collins mentioned the possibility of an increase being made in the quota for the zone, which he said would amount to between £3OOO and £4OOO. This would be brought about as a result of a new method of allocating the quotas. Mr Bitchener said that the matter would be discussed at a meeting tomorrow when efforts would be made for the retention of the present system. Better Access Wanted

The creek nearest Elephant Hill on the Takitu Road was always a worry In flood time, stated a letter received from Messrs Mcßae Bros. There had been occasions when it was impossible to get out, while on other occasions vehicles had been stuck, the letter stated. There were four other creeks on the road which could be piped to prevent further scouring, while on other positions the water flowing down the road caused bad scouring. Improvements before the winter to provide better access were reqquested. At the suggestion of Cr. R. Sinclair, the engineer was Instructed to make an inspection. The application of E. A. Bloxham for a culvert on the road just beyond his sheds was referred to the engineer. Permission was granted R. M. Ford to erect a private telephone line. The Waimate Primary School Committee wrote asking consideration of a K toward the cost of the juvenile established recently and housed at the Borough Library. Books were issued free to the children. On the motion of the chairman, the sum of £5 was granted.

Personal The appointment of Mr A. A. McKenzie, County ranger, as an honorary inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was notified to a meeting of the Waimate County Council in a letter from the Timaru branch of the Society. The Waimate County Council yesterday confirmed the reappointment of the Mayor, Mr W. F. Boland, as representative of the County and Borough Councils on the Waimate Rehabilitation Committee. The Waimate County Council passed a resolution of sympathy with Mr and Mrs E. J. Williams in the loss of their son, who has been reported missing on air operations and whose death is now presumed.