PONTOONS BREAK AWAY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1929, Page 2

PONTOONS BREAK AWAY

DAMAGE TO NEW BRIDGE AT AWAKIXO. OAMAII l\ Jam. 12. Late yesterday afternoon as a result of heavy rain in the back country and a hot nor-westcr melting the snow on the ranges, there was a sudden rise of approximately seven lect in the \\nitati Hiver. Substantial damage resulted to the Public Works Bridge at the scene of the new hydro-electric works at Awnkino.

Two pontoons anchored up-stream by stout cables broke from their moorii: and crashed through the centre of the bridge. The authorities at Tvurow were immediately notified and precautions were taken to clear the Hakataramea Bridge of traffic, as it. was feared that the flood would carry the heavy pontoons down-stream and damage that bridge, which is only four miles from the dam site.

Fortunately, the largest pontoon, containing machinery and pile-driving plant became embedded on a sandbank within a hundred yards of the threatened bridge, and steps were taken to secure it to the shore. The other pontoon grounded a short distance from Awnkino and was also secured.

Several spans of the new bridge were carried away, and after the flood subsides it will take at least a fortnight to repair the damage'. The chiel difficulty will he to work the heavy pontoons hack to their original site, as at the scene of llie new works swiftflowing waters necessitate extreme caution. At present the river is abnormally logit and at the dam site the velocity is estimated to be about -100.000 gallons per second. Owing to the holidays, construction has not proceeded so rapidly during the past fortnight, but huge quantities of material are being railed to Kurow in readiness for vigorous prosecution of the work. To-day three hundred tons of heavy slmath piling was delivered at Awakino. and a further three hundred tons is expected early next week.