PIAKO RIVERBANK ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5258, 30 March 1928, Page 3

PIAKO RIVERBANK ROAD.

DIFFICULTY OF CONSTRUCTION. DEVIATION BEING MADE. Further difficulties are being experienced by the Lands Dh-’alnage Department in the construction of the Piako River stop-bank and road between the Torehape Road cornqr and the Kai.here landing, and a deviation has now been decided upon.

Owing to the rotten nature of the country the stop-bank has slipped into the river on three, occasions infront of Mr Stitchbury’s farm, and about a month ago a start was, made to I'ebuijld it with spoil obtained from the other side of the river. It was thought that by not disturbing the toe of the slip, and by using dry earth instead of mud, a lasting job would result, but last week, when the work was almost completed, practically all this.new bank sank down, forcing up the bottom of the river-bed. The slip was over seven chains long, and as almost the full width of. the roadway shifted, the river channel wap, partly blocked.

The department has now done what it and the settlers have contended should have been done at the very 'beginning. It has deviated thq stopbank back from the i’ivei;baiik, and lias decided to make the road inside instead of on top of the stop-bank. Had this course been adopted at tihe, beginning, the job would probably have been completed and the road metaliled years ago. Now it will be a costly undertaking, as in addition to having to acquire the frontage of Mr Stitchbuity’s farm, it will have to shift.his house and cowshed ;and remove an orchard and numerous big shelter trees. Electric power poles \nd telephone poles will also have to be removed 1 . At the; present time a temporary stop-bank is being erected as a measure of flood protection. It will be joined up with the existing bank until such time as the removal of the buildings and trees permits it being extended beyond the dangerous ground. The road will be made through the farm, so that the bank may be made of lesser dimensions! to miniimisfe the danger of slipping.