TE ARAI WATERWORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2156, 3 April 1908, Page 2

TE ARAI WATERWORKS.

DAMAGE OVERESTIMATED. Though the damage caused by tho heavy floods in tho To Arai creek last wook were of a serious nature, and will cause the town to havo to put up with a low pressure of wator drawn from a temporary intake, there is reason to believe that tho first ostimato of the diunago. as stated by Mr. Bignell, was exaggerated, owing to tho flood water being so high that ho was not ablo to see to exactly what extent tho pipes had been carried away. On Wednesday, tho Mayor (Mr. J. Townloy) and Mr. Couston (engineer) drove out to the To Arai creek, and on his return yesterday Mr. Townloy was.interviewed by a “Times” reporter. Mr. Townloy stated that lie bolievod that a few hundred pounds would replace the damage; that a new survey would not bo made, and the wliolo damage could bo repaired within a week or two. Only some half-dozen of tho 15-inch pipes had been carried away, and about twelve pipes had been displaced, though the whole of tho pipes would havo to be tested before it could, bo ascertained if any others wore unlikely to bear the strain of tho pressure required. Mr. Townloy said that on arrival at tho crook they found tho whole of the track was washed away, the water still rushing down in torrents, and Targe boulders lying where there was formerly level ground. AVitli Mr. Couston, bo wont up to the head of the creek to tho main intake, and darkness coming on quickly, both got benighted, and they reached camp with difficulty after a good wetting, through their horses plunging about in tho water.. T'lio creek, Mr Townloy states, lias been thoroughly scoured out, but’ in bis opinion there was not sufficient damage to Warrant another survey; The numerous weirs that had been constructed in the crossings in the gorge, composed of boulders retained ■ by wire netting, had been swept away down stream, whilst another such woir above the dam at tho intako had been rolled into the clam, filling it up level. The clam, however, appeared to bo uninjured. Some of tho pipes liacl been dented, but, singular to state, in numerous instances the ’hessian coating appeared to bo quite undamaged. The main intake has stood all the demands made upon it, and the breastwork in the To Arai river lias proved a great success, completely diverting tho stream, which, if allowed to flow clown in one bod”, would certainly havo clone considerable damage. The rush of water at- tho time of the flood was phenomenal, and residents of tho district told the Mayor they never remembered tho river rising before with such suddenness. Tho temporary intake is supplying a fair pressure; but steps will be taken to improve it should the necessary repairs to the pipes up the creek occupy a length of time. The water coming through is pure and clean, and, under tho circumstances, householders havo no cause for complaint. Mr. Hay, tho engineer for the scheme, and Mr. Bignell, the representativo of the Spiral Steel Pipe Company (tho contractors) will arrive in Gisborno from tho South on Saturday, and will confer with Mr. Couston on tho amount of tho damage done, and tho best way of effecting repairs. Mr. Hay will then submit a report to tho Council, and a special meeting will be called either on Saturday or Monday evening to allow Councillors to consider what action shall be taken.