TE WHAITI DAMAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 52, 29 February 1944, Page 5

TE WHAITI DAMAGE

WIDESPREAD DESOLATION

M.l'.s VI SIN" AREA

Observers who visited, the Te Whaiti region which was devastated by storm and Hood last week, were amazed at the damage suffered by the district and the ordeal undergone by the residents. Large areas of farmland are under a cover of silt which will retard to a coii.side.ritblc extent, production during the remainder of the season, and although tho Rangitaiki river is nearly down to 'its former level, it is swift flowing and tilled <with debris of every kind. Two Members of Parliament, Mr G. F .Sim, Rotorua representative, and Mr AV. Sullivan of the Bay of Plenty both A r isited the area yesterday. They had travelled from AVellinglon and after a short stop in Rotorua over Saturday Mr Sim continued his journey to Te Whait'i. Mr Sim said he had been promised the assistance of the Army and Air Force to work in the repair of the. damage in conjunction with the Public Works Department. He had contacted Major-Gcneral P. 11. Bell, officer commanding the Northern Military District who had promisee] every assistance. Mr Sim inspected the damage from Murupara to Te Whaiti and crossed to the other side of the Rangitaiki River and went as far as j he could towards the settlement of Ruatahuna. Mr Sullivan inspected damage at Whakatane and travelled as far as the Galatea Estate.

Te Whaiti-Murupara Road Clear It. was reported yesterday that the road from Murupara to Te Whaiti is now cleared. Only one bridge is unsafe for heavy vehicular traffic, but it is expected that this will be completed by today. The Rangitaiki River bridge at Te Whaiti was washed 500 yards downstream. It is all in one piece however and is lying on the river bank. The Public Works Department assisted by timber-mill workers and the State Forestry Department at Te Whaiti yere. engaged yesterday in erecting a temporary structure across the river, consisting of two or three large logs, which will serve, its purpose until the bridge is again erected into place.

Heavy Loss at Mill The Wilson Timber Mill' at Te Whaiti suffered heavily in the food and it is estimated that the company lost 500,000 feet of sawn timber, valued at £6500 i Work will not be resumed at this mill for some time. The office building was lost, but the firm was fortunate in the recovery of its safe,, containing £150 in cash which was found in the river bed. The mill itself is a scene of utter confusion. Pieces of driftwood and timber are-mixed in the belting and shafting. The mill building supports were washed away and the building is out of alignment. The damage to the structure is not known.

Te Whaiti residents arc in a most unenviable position. It Avas stated that the settlers were fortunate in that, the flood '''reached its peak in the. daylight hours, otherwise loss of, life would have resulted. Residents Averc able to safeguard their furniture and household belongings, but in some cases had to Avade waistdeep carrying their effects to aboAe the safety of the flood leA'el. Families Isolated Six families are isolated in tlic Mirtginui Valley, Avhich is the source of the Whininaki. River and an area in Avhich the Lands Department carries out post-splitt'in.g operations. About 25 residents are reported to be in the area. Approximately 3000 totara fencing posts haA r c been completely lost. The only means of conveying supplies to the vallej r is by foot.