FLOODING AT WASHDYKE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22467, 30 July 1938, Page 22

FLOODING AT WASHDYKE

Irrigation Scheme Blamed

DEPUTATION TO LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL

(THE PRESS Special Service.] TIMARU, July 29. The flooding at Washdyke for the last few months resulted in a deputation of settlers, bearing a petition from 29 farmers asking for relief from flood waters diverted from the irrigation ditches, waiting on the Levels County Council this afternoon. “What do you think is causing the trouble, asKed the chairman of the council (Mr T. R. Garrick). The season had been an extremely wet one, with as much ram during six months as was usually experienced in 12 months, he added. Mr W. J. Clarke said that the irrigation channels were causing the position to become worse. The drams had been leading the water into settlers properties. „ , . . “I take it that you all want irrigation. Do you all want irrigation or do you not?” asked the chairman. Mr Clarke said that he had never had trouble before with flood waters; but water was now leaking from Kelly’s creek into his paddock. The original creek was filled in. with the result that the water now came down a channel along the road. . “Are the public works officials not trying to assist you? asked Mr Garn “They seem to be trying to do the other thing,” said Mr Clarke. He went on to say that the drains were only partly cleaned along the Levels Valley road. The season had been abnormal, but the flooding was not all due to th Mr a w. H. Kelman said that every time the irrigation was turned on the water in his well rose a foot. Settlers who paid their rates to the County Council looked to it to rectify the P °Mr °W. H. Orbell said that the department had altered the course of the creek from the natural bed. wnn the result that it was now running across the road into his property .There was a clay, sub-soil in the Levels district, which was probably the reason whv so much water was about. “I think the irrigation engineer has undermined the Ooihi river, and itjs coming down the drains, said Mr Kelm After the deputation had retired it was decided to place the posihon before the Public Works Department to have it rectified.