E.-t5

1878. NEW ZEALAND. DAMAGE DONE TO PUBLIC WORKS BY THE RECENT FLOOD IN THE CLUTHA RIVER (REPORT ON THE).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, with the leave of the House.

Mr. Blair to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Sir,— Wellington, 21st October, 1878. In accordance with your instructions to procure a report on the damage done to public "works by the recent flood in the Clutha River, I have the honor to submit the following, compiled from information telegraphed me by Mr. Ussher, Resident Engineer, Dunedin : — Immediately on receipt of your instruction Mr. Ussher proceeded to Clyde via Naseby, then, as the road to Queenstown was impassable, he followed down the Clutha River and went to the Lake District via Invercargill. As information on the subject was wanted in the least possible time this report must not be taken as complete, or absolutely correct in every particular. With your permission I purpose to have a detaled report prepared, as a permanent record of this the greatest flood that has occurred since the settlement of Otago. Bruce County. The following is an approximate estimate of the damage done to public works : —■ Roads — including Small Bridges. £ £ Road and street, Kaitangata ... ... ... ... 1,150 Kaitangata to Coal Point ... ... ... ... ... 200 Road and streets, Stirling ... ... ... ... ... 200 Stirling to Balclutha ... ... ... ... ... 700 Total damage to roads... ... ... ... 2,250 Bridges. Matau Bridge (moiety) ... ... ... ... ... 100 Balclutha „ „ ... ... ... ... ... 6,000 Total damage to bridges ... ... ... 6,100 River Works, fyc. Flood channel and gate ... ... ... ... ... 300 Punt ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 Total damage to river works ... ... ... 400 Total damage to public works in Bruce County ... ... £8,750 The piers of the Matau Bridge only are injured; they will require to be strengthened. In the Balclutha Bridge two of the piers, the draw-bridge, and all the superstructure of the suspension spars, except one, are carried away. The end spars and the anchorages are however intact, and it is supposed that the remaining piers can be repaired. Clutha County. The following is an approximate estimate of the damage done to public works:— £ Roads, including small bridges, river-bank road, Inch Clutha ... ... 2,000 Interior roads, Inch Clutha ... ... ... ... ... 5,000 Streets in Balclutha ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,100 Total damage to roads ... ... ... £12,100