DAMAGE TO ROADS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 192, 15 August 1931, Page 5

DAMAGE TO ROADS

THE WANGANUI COUNTY SLIPS CAUSE MANY BLOCKAGES Many slips, causing a great deal of damage to roads in the various ridings, are mentioned in the monthly report of the engineer (Mr R. R. Dawson) submitted to yesterday’s meeting of the Wanganui County Council. Mr Dawson’s report is as follows: 4 ‘General.— Owing to continuous rains the majority of roads throughout the county have suffered considerable damage, particularly in the Wangaehu, Mangawhero and Wanganui River valleys. Many roads have been closed to traffic periodically, however the main traffic roads have been re-opened without delay and it is proposed to defer th*' final repairs until the weather conditions are more favourable for the work except in cases where the repairs wih prevent further damage being done., “Mangawhero Riding.— There has been considerable damage on the Parapara Road by way of slips, the most serious of which is north of Tauangatutu. Numerous slips have occurred in the Parihauhau district, the most difficult one being on the Te Komai Road where part of same has subsided for the full width. Before this part of road can be re-made a great deal of loose earth will require to be removed and for this purpose a stream of water has been trained on to the slips from above and it is hoped this will have the effect of removing the remainder of loose earth whereby the road may be made economically in the solid. There are extensive slips on the Wanganui River Road more particularly above Pitangi. The road has been re opened to Pitangi for vehicular traffic but a considerable amount of labour will be required to open the road further up the river. Metal repairs have been (ffor-ted on the Parapara Road between the city boundary and Upokongaro. Metal repairs are now necessary between Upokongaro and Aberfeldy Hill. Materia! is being supplied to build a light traffic bridge across the Upokongaro stream on the Matatara Road and the work will be commenced immediately. Mangamahu Riding.—Road damage has been severe in the Mangamahu district, most of the damage being done on the Wangaehu Valley and Creek roads, where a number of under slips have occurred. On the newly metalled part of the Mangamahu Road several places broke up badly during the continuous wet weather. An attempt wa*s made to repair the damage but owing to adverse weather conditions the work was abandoned, however repair work has again been commenced and will be completed this week providing weather conditions are favourable. Light metal repairs will be effected on the lower end of the Mangamahu Road within a few days. “Purua Riding.—Metalling work has progressed favourably from Bailey’s pit. Practically all roads within range have been repoired and the working of plant will be discontinued within a few days. Road drainage work on the No. 2 Line will be commenced at an early date for which labour under the Unemployment Scheme will be engaged. “Kaitoke Riding.—Metal has been | obtained from Bailey’s Pit for surfacg the No. 1 Line on the Wangaehu

Hill and his road is now in good condition. Slips have occurred on various roads but are only of a minor nature. Road drainage work is being carried out on the No. 1 Line under the Unemployment Scheme. Necessary repairs are now being made to the roadman’s cottage. “Kaukatea Riding.—There have been slip damages to roads in this riding, the worst of which being on the top end of the No. 3 Line which work will be carried out as soon as possible. Considerable damage is done on the No. 3 Line during the winter months caused by the overflow of the Matarawa stream. This damage can be minimised by widening the road dram between the two bridges near the city boundary and for this purpose it is proposed to utilise labour under the unemployment scheme. “Morikau Riding.—General damage is reported in this riding but all tracks are passable. The formation of the Morikau Road will be commenced next week. “Upper Wangaehu Riding.—Numerous slips have occurred on the Wangaehu Valley Road where widening work was recently carried out; however the road is open to settlers concerned and the damage although heavy is not as serious as anticipated.” The report was adopted.