FLOOD DAMAGE REPORTED.

Waipa Post, Volume XVII, Issue 963, 3 July 1920, Page 6

FLOOD DAMAGE REPORTED.

AFFAIRS IX IVAITMIO COUNTY.

THE ENGINEER’S STATEMENT

Reporting to the monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council at the meeting of that body on Thursday, the engineer seated that the work of dealing with slips and damage caused by the recent floods had taken all available labour and had occupied the most of the time of his staff. Details of the report are as follow: Aria Riding. Generally speaking, this riding has not been damaged to the extent of some of the ridings. There are subsidences on the Kumara Road and several slips on other roads, hut no very large ones. It will probably take £l5O to repair the damage done. Owing to weather conditions and no suitable labour offering I have closed the Ohura Road quarry until conditions improve. The low portions of the Ohura-Mokau Road through the township have been filled. Repair work to various roads, banking metal, and other details have received attention. Hangatiki Riding. A considerable amount of damage has been done to this riding. The Mangarino Road was completely blocked for several days, owing to such a number of slips coming down, several of which were large ones full of timber and rubbish, and making progress in clearing very slow. The new metal on the hill has been badly scoured in many places, and in several parts broken up. It will take approximately £350 to put this road in order.

A certain amount of damage has been done to the Mangarapa Flat and Rothery’s Hill, which will cost £IOO to repair. The Ahuroa Road was affected to the extent of approximately £l5O, several slips having occurred, and the road slipped, away in several places, considerable damage being also done to the metal.

Several slips, but not of an extensive nature, occurred on the Rangi•toto Road. Approximately £SO will •cover the damage. Considerable damage has been done to the Puketawai Road, and the large slip is still moving and giving trouble. It will probably take from £l5O to £2OO to remove the slips and repair ■the damage done to this road. The Waipa River Road has practically been washed away near the Waipa River, one wash-out being exceptionally bad. There are also several ■troublesome slips. It will cost approximately £350 to re-open this road •for wheel traffic. .Mairoa Riding. A few slips have occurred in this riding, but nothing of a very serious nature. Probably £75 to £IOO will cover the damage done. A contract has been let for improving the Arapae Road, the work being now under way. Owing to all available labour being utilised in slip 'clearing and flood damage work I have not been able to put men on the Ngapaenga deviation works, hut hope to be able tp do so during the current month,. Practically no work has been done on the Ngapaenga metalling but every effort will be made to bring about the completion of this work. Repairs and general maintenance work have been done as far as existing conditions will allow. Otorohanga Riding. During the recent heavy flood the value of the Mangapu Stream diversion was very evident. A considerable area of country which, during previous floods became inundated was comparatively clear, and there is no doubt ‘that when the other proposed diversions are put in the same effect will he noticeable at Hangatiki. Considerable damage has been done to the Honikiwi Road—-many troublesome slips and a heavy wash-out. There is also a heavy wash-out on the Oamaru Road. A certain amount of damage was done to the metal by scour where the roads were affected by flood water, but nothing of a serious nature. The worst portions of the Waitomo Valley Road have been repaired. The approximate estimate of the cost of repairing flood damages in this riding are: Honikiwi Road wash-out £350, Honikiwi Road slips £2OO. Oamaru Road wash-out £250. repairs to metal £IOO. minor slips on various roads £150: total, £IOSO. Mr Browne, the recently-appointed overseer, will take up his duties from to-day. Faeninko Riding. Several slips occurred on the Mungataki, Awakino. and Kahuwera Roads, and a few minor damages to metal on other roads. It will probably take £250 to repair the damage in the riding. General repair work has been done, but nothing ~verv extensive owing to the stormy weather. The dump truck is at present engaged in repair work on the Waiwera Flat. Owing to delay in the delivery of new crusher parts it lias not been possible to crush repair metal. A quantity of spawls has been quarried in readiness for crushing operations, and will ho put in hand immediately the crusher is ready. Owing to this delay the working of the dump truck lias been dis-organised. and it has been necessary to work one of the rubble quarries. To Kuiti Hiding. Several serious wash-outs and numerous slips have occurred in this riding. The Pukerimu Road was completely blocked, several large slips coming down. It will take approximately £250 to put this road in order. Two wash-outs occurred on the Main Road, one at the 41-mile peg and one at the 6-tnile peg. Several •slips also occurred. Approximately £l5O will he necessary to repair these damages. Kopaki East has suffered considerable damage, several large slips and a wash-out occurring, and it is probable that a bridge will lie necessary for the reason that this filling has washed out three times. The formation being pumice it will be liable to occur again. |

In company with Cr Hargreaves I made an inspection of the South Mapara Road, and found it in a shocking

condition, brought about by timber carting, making the road impassable. I am of the opinion that carting over tiie road should be stopped during the winter months. Tuiigitu Hiding. Many large slips and subsidences have occurred, many of which are troublesome, being in very steep and unstable formation. The Waimiha-Tangitu Road has been considerably damaged, and was completely blocked for several days. 1- ' I estimate that it will take about £SOO to £6OO to clear the slips and repair subsidences. The Tangitu-Mokauiti Road was also blocked. Several large slips occurred. About £l5O will be necessary to repair this section of road. The Potato Road has slipped away completely over a section, but as the matter has only recently been reported to me I cannot give an estimate of the cost of repairs, but it is very probable that a deviation or a new road will be necessary. Several slips have occurred J on other roads in the riding. It will probably cost £2OO to repair the damage. On the Kurukuru and Aratoro Roads two large slips and. several small ones and considerable damage to metal occurred, which will cost £IOO to repair. Waitomo Hiding. Several troublesome slips have occurred on the Caves, Ruakura .and Hangatiki Roads and smaller slips on other roads in the riding. At the present time. I understand, the Caves Road is 'blocked, I having received word to that effect to-day. It will probably take £250 to repair storm damages. The Mangapohue Road beyond the /present metal is in a very bad condition, but, being under the joint control of the Waitomo and Kawhia County Councils, some arrangement should be made between the two bodies with regard to repairs': A little maintenance work has been done and a few minor details have received attention. Te Hau-a-Moa Hiding. This riding has escaped serious damage, nothing further than a few slips have come down and a little scour; £SO will clear up this riding. Maintenance and general matters have received attention. General. I have been kept exceptionally busy since the heavy storm owing to the county roads being in such a shocking condition, which has taken practically all my time, preventing me from giving attention to general matters of the county. I have not attempted to clear anything more than a track through the slips, but in many cases extensive work will be necessary; therefore I .have not yet been able to get access over these particular places. A temporary bridge will be necessary over the wash-out on the Honikiwi Road owing to the work being extensive. 'Arrangements have been made to bridge the wash-out. Bridges will be necessary to repair the wash-outs on the Mangaokewa and Mangapeehi Road 6. The Public Works Department controls the latter.