CONTROL OF THE WAIMAKARIRI

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26261, 4 November 1950, Page 8

CONTROL OF THE WAIMAKARIRI

FINANCE FOR NEW SCHEME « MAY FIND LOCAL SHARE WITHOUT LOAN” The new scheme for the control ot the Waimakariri river, making provision for a flood of 200.000 cusecs, is being submitted to the Soil Conservation Council, and it is expected that the Government will grant a substantial subsidy towards the estimated cost of £111.825. This was reported by the chairman of the North Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr W. Machin) in his report for the year ended September 30. presented to the monthly meeting of the board yesterday. The scheme was drawn up by the chief engineer to the board (Mr H. W. Harris) and was adopted in principle by the board recently. “It is also expected that the local share can be found without difficulty (spread, say. over a period of five years or less) out of the current Waimakariri rate without a loan, especially as thi* Waimakariri rate has been progressively reduced to 066 d. ,060 d. and 055 d from 156 d. 142 d. and ,130 d in 1944 (for classes A. B. and C respectively).” Mr Machin said. Mr Machin reported that the repairing of the flood damage was practically completed. “It was a matter of congratulation that there was no loss of life and that this mighty flood, rising suddenly from a flow of less than 1000 cusecs to 195.000 cusecs, was not generally disastrous." he said. “It should be recorded that during the long peak of the flood it was met at the river mouth by a high tide which held up the waters. Also the barrage of stone originally laid across the river under the railway bridge for its protection was again responsible for holding and backing up the flood waters." The comparrtivelv few sufferers from flooding had the board's sympathy. Mr Machin said. Dwellers under the lea of river control stopbanks had always to run some risks, he said.

Mr Machin recalled that the rainfall at Arthur's Pass from May 24 to May 27 (the day of the flood) was at least 30in. On May 26 16in fell in 16 hours. The highest nrevious flood rise was lift 6in in February, 1940. when 12in of rain fell in 24 hours. The protection works for the river ~\ d ™ en deE >Knad for a flood flow of 150.000 cusecs, said Mr Machin The flood flow on Mav 27. 1950. had been calculated at 195.000 cusecs, but “No flood water came into the city of Christchurch.

SELWYN CONTROL SCHEME

CATCHMENT BOARD TOLD OF PROGRESS

“More than 10 miles (the most difficult portion) of the work is practically finished.” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr W. Machin), referring at a meeting of the board yesterday to the £34,000 control scheme for the Selwyn river, which has been, in progress for more than two years. The cut of 40 chains had been completed in the early stages to give a more direct outlet to Lake Ellesmere, he said..

expendlture incurred is over £28,000. of which £17.000 has been spent during the last year. Heavy willow clearing is in progress, and the whole 20 miles will be completed next year. Vexatious delays caused by shortages «f cement and steel and manpower have occurred, but these are being overcome. "The intimate connexion between a low level dr Lake Ellesmere and this riyer in the mind of our engmeers, ’ Mr Machin said.