WATER PROBLEM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 249, 2 August 1941, Page 6

WATER PROBLEM.

ASSURANCE BY ENGINEER, The conference of farmers .of the Methven district; the Ashburton County Council and the Public Works Department engineers on the subject of eliminating flood, 'damage in the Methven area was continued after the “Guardian” went to press yesterday. Gravel pits were not of much use in disposing of flood water, said Mr Beck. They tightened rapidly, too. > M'essrs Macale and McDonald said they had known water running into pits for years and there had never been any overflow. Mr Beck repeated his assurance that constructive criticism would be welcomed by the engineers. Mr Mad ale said the. farmers would be pleased to pay a rate if the flood problem from Dry Creek could be overcome ‘as suggested by Mr .Beck, even at a .cost of £25,000 to £30,000. Under this scheme, the water would be diverted to the north branch of the Ashburton River. The chairman said that it was to be hoped that the fears of the farmers •would be resolved as a result of the meeting, ©e thought the ultimate solution of the problem was a compi'e-) hensivo drainage scheme. 2