FLOOD DAMAGE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20490, 8 March 1932, Page 13

FLOOD DAMAGE.

L* THE POSITION IN WAIMATE. REPAIRS ESTIMATED TO COST £4500. (SPECIAL, TO THE PRESS.) March 7. At a special meeting of the Waimate County Council to-day the subject of flood damage was considered. The engineer (Mr W. P. Black) presented a detailed report, showing the extent of the damage to bridges, and stating that the total actual damage was estimated at approximately £.4500. For the restoration of works the Council's proportion would be £3OOO. The report stated that a survey of flood damages sustained in the county, owing to the exceptional conditions which prevailed during the heavy rains of February 18tli, 19th, and 20th, revealed that the major portion of the damage occurred in the upper Pareora riding. Records of rain which fell on the back line showed a total fall of 18 inches for the period, and it was further reported that eight inches of rain fell in twelve hours. It would thus be readily recognised that the discharge of water from the dry mountainous catchment area was of an immense volume, and bridges of three times the capacity could not have withstood such a flood. Trees Uprooted. Trees were uprooted from the bush and together wtih other debris overloaded the piles of the bridges and caused failure of the structures. Practically the whole of the piles on the damaged bridges had disappeared, and the remaining ones were Useless for reinstating. The superstructures in all cases were for the most part intact, and could be used for reconstruction. Several of. the old bridge sites would have to be abandoned as the course of the river had completely changed at those points. _ None of the heavy traffic bridges or important protective works was damaged, and beyond additional protective works now necessary at Holme Station bridge, nothing was required in that direction. Prospective Damage. Additional to the damage actually sustained there was prospective damage at several other localities; the CavePareora secondary highway above the Springbrook School, erosion on Mr A. S. Elworthy's frontage on the same highway, a washout at Fisheries reserve on the Pareora river, eroßion above tho township of Makikihi; and the new position of tho river at Brosnahan's frontage on the Gum Tree Flat road. It was agreed that the engineer report to the next meeting on the bridge work necessary, and that the Council. apply to the Govermcnnt for a subsidy on flood damage repair of £1 for £1 or a sum of £ISOO. '