£3m Scheme To Control Flooding In Waikato

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28543, 24 March 1958, Page 10

£3m Scheme To Control Flooding In Waikato

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 23. Flood protection measures Costing approximately £3 million are proposed in the area of the Waikato Valley Authority. Preliminary plans envisage the clearing of flood channels through Otorohanga and Te Kuiti and, perhaps, in other areas. In all, between 50 and 100 houses are likely to be moved, as well as other buildings. Stop-banks would be erected to confine future floods to these cleared channels. Where necessary, roads would be moved and bridges built at new high levels. Stop-banks are also planned on both sides of the Waikato river from Huntly to the sea, except at points where high ground close to the river makes them unnecessary. A few large ponding areas will still be kept each side of the river. Preventive steps being examined include willow cutting on the Waipa river and its tributaries and shoal clearance on the lower Waikato river. In Otorohanga. tentative plans envisage a stop-bank, protecting the railway, the main highway and the centre of the town. The course of the Waipa may be straightened from a flood channel yet to be definitely determined. Houses would be moved to higher ground. A school, and perhaps the railway station, may also be gaoved.

Protective measures in Te Kuiti are expected to take the form of stop-banks on both sides of the Mangaokewa stream which rose so high in the recent flood that it cut the town in two. Buildings caught between the stop-banks will have to be moved. New bridges at higher levels may be necessary.

Huntly, the third town badly hit in the recent flooding, can probably be protected by stopbanks. Little disturbance to properties is envisaged. The Minister of Works (Mr Watt) said at Auckland at the week-end that—while it was still intended that costs should be shared locally—the Government would make its share available immediately where there was a possibility of urgent works being held up for lack of finance. He instanced Otorohanga, which was hard hit by the flood. Such urgent work should not be held up while waiting for a complete plan, he said, provided it fitted in with an overall scheme. RECORDS Have you inspected our comprehensive selection of popular and classical recordings? We can offer you the latest in standard or long playing microgroove records to suit every taste MASON STRUTHERS AND CO LTD. Colombo street, ’Phone 65-079. —Advt