WHANGAREI COUNTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 24

WHANGAREI COUNTY

ALLEVIATION OF FLOODING LAGOON RECLAMATION PLAN [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Friday Advice as to the subsidies it was prepared to pay to alleviate flooding on the Hikurangi-Marua highway was received from the Main Highways Board bv the Whangarei County Council today. The board stated that for a bridge required the usual subsidy rate of £3 for £1 would he available. In regard to sections requiring lengths of fillings to raise them above normal flood level, the estimated cost of which was £7BO, a subsidy rate of £3 for £1 had been approved, but the council's application for free money could not be granted. The council could extend the work over two or even three years if it could not finance the full proposals in one year. Action was deferred pending the announcement of the coming year's estimates..

A report on a proposal for the lowering of the water level of the Ruakaka Lagoon was made by the engineer, Mr. J. Norris, who said that there was a length of about 60 chains between the tidal water and the lagoon, with a fall of about 7ft. The lagoon level could be lowered 2ft. or 3ft., but the outlet channel was in sand and the maintenance of an open cut was very uncertain.

About '2OO to 300 acres of land would be affected if the water level was lowered.

It was decided to inquire whether the Public Works Department would be prepared to undertake the work of cutting the outfall canal. The settlers affected would, it was stated, be prepared to assist.