BIG DRAINAGE SCHEME

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LXIII, Issue 6498, 10 January 1939, Page 2

BIG DRAINAGE SCHEME

PROTECTION OF LITTLE RIVER FROM FLOODING 9 —- Minister Proposes £10,500 Expenditure The protection of Little River from flooding was the subject of discussion at the Wairewa Count Council meeting yesterday. The district has been subjected to serious flooding for the past few years, caused mainly by the main stream flooding and the creek running past the police station breaking its banks. An investigation has been raade of flood protection by the Public Works Department and their proposals run into a sum of £10,500, a share of which tho minister expects the district to bear.

The Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, wrote that the cost of pulling willows from the stream at Little River to prevent flood damage and other protection works would cost £10,500. The Minister's letter detailed proposals as follows: — £ i Pulling and clearing approx- I imately 1500 trees and cutting them into firewood .. 5000 Construction of stop bank 80 chains in length, culverts, floodgates etc. .... 18/5 Cut-off bank at creek above Police Station • • • • 125 Construction of diversion cut in Police Station creek; (culvert under ChrisitchuxchAkaroa Main Highway to be re-constructed and enlarged, the latter not included in estimate). *>00 Constructing four diversion cuts on Puaha River, 35 ft. wide on bottom. .... 3000 Total £10,500 j The Minister stated he would be in Christchurch early in the New Year and would be pleased to discuss with the council the question of financing the pi'oposal. He would notify when he could meet the Council and had forwarded a similar communication to Mr H. S. S. Kyle M. P. Chairman's Letter to Minister The chairman, Mr F. Coop reported he had written to the Minister. This letter stated the proposed work was very comprehensive, but the figures were rather staggering. In view of the Minister's stated intention of doing the work frees of further cost, excepting maintenance by the local body it was not expected that more would be (lone other than removing the willows from the stream. The council was committed to heavy expenditure in the near future, including Lake Forsyth drainage, road sealing, provision of water supply and centennial celebrations and further heavy commitments could not be entertained. He thanked the Minister for his interest in the matter and the council would be pleased to discuss the proposals with him. The council would like to know if the Minister would meet them in Christchurch or Little River. The council discussed the matter further in committee. On resuming the chairman reported that the council had decided to ask the District Engineer, Mr F. Langbein to meet the council and go over the ground and discuss the plans before the council met the Minister.