RANGITIKEI ROADS DAMAGED BY RECENT SOUTHERLY STORM

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 March 1947, Page 4

RANGITIKEI ROADS DAMAGED BY RECENT SOUTHERLY STORM

REPORT BY ENGINEER Nearly ail roads in the Rangitikei County which were damaged as a result oi: the severe storm inree weeks ago were now open to traffic, but a fair amount of trimming up was required before they were restored to order, stated the county engineer, Mr. S. A. R. Mair, in his report to tile council, received at the monthly meeting yesterday. •■following a prolonged dry spell the county was visited by an almost unprecedented gale wita extremely heavy rain, particularly in the northern portion of the county,' the engineer stated. “Rivers were all in very high flood, but soon receded, and lortunately the damage to bridges was not serious.

"iMany roads in the lower part of the county, were partially or fully blocked by fallen trees, while moat roads in tne Awarua and Te Kapua Ridings were badly blocked by slips and washouts. “All available labour and six bulldozers, as well as' our own, were engaged clearing these roads, but because of numerous breakdowns the work was not effected as rapidly as expected.” Crz A. S. Coleman presided in the absence ol the chairman (Cr. K. W. Dalrymple), also in attendance being Crs. G. L. Marshall, 11. G. Stewart, j. R. L. Hammond, T. C. Chisholm, A. D. Mair, J. M. B. Collier and V. Smith, and the county clerk, Mr. F. L. Nicol, and the county engineer. Leave or absence was granted Crs. Dalrymple anil W. Doole.

Storm damage in the Rangitoto Riding was confined mainly to ralien trees, the worst being at Scot’s Ferry, where the main road was blocked by 17 large macrocarpa trees for about 20 chains, the engineer added. Property owners were clearing these away. In the Wangaehu Riding damage was caused by fallen trees and silt from the flooded Turakina River. This occurred badly at McPherson's, Mangara, McLeay s Bend and at Livingstone’s. At this point the road was narrowed considerably by outside slumping and would require widening and raising. Slight damage occurred to Wheeler's Bridge, at Ngaruru. This was under repair. No storm damage of tjy consequence occurred in the llangatira Riding, but in the,Awarua Riding, as usual, it was heavy, particularly between the Main Trunk Railway and the Ruahine Ranges. However, three bulldozers had opened all roads lor traffic and one machine was still working there. Throughout the Te Kapua Riding damage was extremely neavy, but mostly co»(med to slips. Bulldozers cleared these as rapidly as possible, but several dead-end roads had yet to be restored again. “Fortunately, line weather since the storm is facilitating the work of restoration,” the engineer stated.

No extensive damage occurred in the Erewhon Riding, but the Rangitikei Hill and Gentle Annie, on tne 'i’aihape-Napier Road, were scoured a good deal as culverts could not take the storm water.