WASHED AWAY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1926, Page 1

WASHED AWAY

HAUPUKU BRIDGE APROACH. KAIKOURA. March 1The Alain Highway Board’s embankment, whii h is being ion-U'ucted at the Haptiku River, to replace the County Council's approach, was washed away at four o’clock yesterday morning. Over thirty ears loaded with people were blocked while returning from the Blenheim races. Tn the afternoon, Air C. Johnston put three horses on with a dray to extricate Kennedy Bros’ car. which l ad been in the swollen stream for an P..ur. About 10f> feet of embankment v.:n washed out. leaving a drop of eight feet on tie northern side of the stream. The chi tra k on the eastern -id.- of the new work was sate, but i here was a surging stream high mu,ugh to swamp the ears and the i• ,1-d was loose with heavy boulders. After about five cars had been towed actoss. Air 'Frank Monk tried another Pii-,1 on the western side of the bank l iirtlier upstream. After this all tlio remaining ears were towed across by teams. Although the travellers bad an anxious time, thev faec-d the position bravely. .Many of The late returning racegoers were compelled to return and take the AY est Const route, owing to Hie ClareiKO River being in flood. The Claiv.uiee wa.s running a “banker” yesterday, but no damage vas done to the bridge.

As for the v.ork in hand at tin- Tinpukit River, the Comity Council considers it a. wa>te of money, involving b'IiOIIO. The work mi . lit 1<- destroyed at. any time. The Highways Board look matters into its own hands, but will probably find that the nrtviee. given by the County Chairman is correct. Two spans of bridge are essential to provide a permanent and safe crossing.