THE OPIHI BRIDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1620, 13 August 1887, Page 3

THE OPIHI BRIDGE.

At the ra»»ting of the Geraldine County Council on Wednesday 4he following report of the Council's Engineers, MSBSfJ Meaßon and Marchanf, was read : "We have examioed tha prateetive works at tha Opihi River bridge, near Terauka, and our report thereon is aa under: The protective works on the south b»nk «f the river have withstood the recant floods without the slightest damage. The river thteatena to do mischief at a point about 10 chains up stream from the bridge at the upper end of the willow plantations by undermining the terrace on which the willow trees are planted and so causing.them to fall. A week's work of jone man in cutting and wiring willow branches, also planting willow stakes in various places would secure the south harjk agiinst threatened darnnge. On the north bank the rirer is makiDg considerable encroachments after every flood. The protective works which have been built have done admirable work in their way, but sufficient mooey his not been expended on them. We recommend that the first Btone groin above the bridge be extended by tha addition of 30 cubic yards of b'Uestone rubble, and the second ono by the addition of 50 cubic yards of stone-binding the outside stones together by fencing wire. It i» also necessary that the clay bank above the second groin Bbould be defended by willow bonglis tethered in the water along the bank and that willow stakes should ba planted for a length of about 22 chains above the bridge. Un'esa these works are curried out we be'ieve that the river will breach the northern bank in course nf time and wanli a way tke bridge approach We epiimite the cost of the stone work at about £6O and the willow work at £lO or £l2, If the Council dc not care to expend so much on the work at once, we would recommend the construction of the willow work first of all as the present season is suitable." The matter was discussed, and the need for attention unanimously recognised. Mr Marchant thought willow* would be tery efficient, but it would be necessary to have a stone-fiork or groin in addition, to prevent much further damage. The Council au:hori&ed the Engineers to carry out their proposal.