SLIPS IN RANGITIKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 212, 7 September 1945, Page 2

SLIPS IN RANGITIKEI

HEAVY RAIN LAST MONTH COUNTY ENGINEER’S REPORT Serious slips occurred on the Mangamahoe and Turakina Valley Roads last month, with the result that they were blocked for several days, reported the engineer, Mr. S. A. R. Mair, at the monthly meeting in Marton yesterday of the Rangitikei County Council. Traffic had since been restored, but the affected areas would remain precarious in showery weather.

The chairman, Cr. K. W. Dalrymple, presided, also in attendance being Crs. G. L. Marshall, A. S. Coleman, H. G. Stewart, J. R. L. Hammond, R. G. Dalziell, A. D. Mair, J. M. B. Collier, W. Doole and V. Smith, and the county clerk (Mr. F. L. Nicol) and the engineer.

In a detailed report of the various ridings, the engineer stated that damage which had been done to the Tutaenui Stream Bridge (Rangitoto) by an unknown lorry had been repaired. The contractor engaged in clearing drains in the Wangaehu Valley (Otakapu Riding) had made fair progress and was now clearing Rakautaua drains.

Numerous small slips had been cleared in the Wangaehu Riding and back roads had been repaired. “The old tunnel on Marton Creek, Mangahoe Road, has scoured badly and it will be necessary to replace it as soon as possible with a new structure," the engineer added. “The large creeping slip at Galpin’s, Mangahoe Road, has again given trouble during the month. The only chance of stabilising the area seqms to be surface draining and planting with suitable trees.” Several slips and washouts on Turakina Valley Road (Otairi Riding) had been repaired and road restored for traffic. In places it was necessary to timber up the outside to hold the road. The Ongo, Murimotu and Kiekie roads had been trimmed with a grader. Slips on Watershed Road were cleared

“In the Awarua Riding a thorough inspection was made of the under slip, Totman’s Bluff, Makapua. This ground is very unstable, but to eliminate it altogether a deviation of approximately a mile in length would be required. It was therefore decided to reform the bluff with the oulldoser and flying gang. This has now been completed and will, I think, take the traffic for some years. Scattered metal repairs have been in hand on roads round Utiku. Slips have been cleared on Makopua and Rangitane Roads. Old culverts have been' renewed with concrete pipes," the en-, gineer stated. KAKARIKI CRUSHING PLANT

'At present there is a steady demand for chips, but a surplus of fine aggregate finds only an intermittent market,” Mr. Mair reported, referring to the county’s crushing plant at Kakariki. On several occasions, he added, the river had risen to half flood, but the position on the eastern bank, where protective works had been constructed, was steadily improving. “A nursery has been prepared and 3C30 yearling pines bedded out for next year’s planting," the engineer added. “Further pine and macrocarpa seed will be planted at. the appropriate time in the spring." PLANT WEARING OUT “Much of our mobile plant, particularly the graders, are giving a lot of trouble, having practically reached the end of their efficiency," Mr. Mair also reported. He added that stock should be taken of all the units with a view to making provision on next year’s estimates for the necessary replacements. UTIKU PLANT CLOSED The Council’s crushing plant at Utiku was closed fpr a month because of slips on the road, the engineer stated. He added that orders in hand, and also urgent requirements for county roads, were nearly completed. “As scon as the railside depots are replenished the plant will close down for a spell, unless further orders are received,” the engineer added.