WAIRARAPA LAKE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 96, 18 January 1924, Page 10

WAIRARAPA LAKE

POSSIBILITIES OF CONTROL. From Our Own Correspondent. _ Carterton, January 17. _ A meeting of ratepayers to consider the possibilities of controlling the flood waters of the Wairarapa Lake and the Ruamahanga River, and of unwatering the large areas of swamp and lagoons, was held at Featherston yesterday, Mr. ,Q. Donald presiding. The work carried out by the Ka'hutara River Board during the past three years was outlined, and it was stated that in the prosecution of protective works by the board, inestigations had been made which impressed upon the board the immense possibilities for development. The works proposed, _ and which were endorsed by a drainage engineer, were: Stabilising the lake outlet at Palliser Bay, widening the Lower Ruamahanga, diversion of the Ruamahanga River to make it discharge direct to the sea. instead of the Wairarapa Lake, diversion of tho Tauherenikau River to make it hinction with the Ruamahanga near Te Hopi, possible construction of a channel to collect waters from the streams on the western side of the lake.

It was pointed out that what was desired at present was to have the necessary investigation completed, tho cost of which . not exceed £lOOO. The meeting was not to discuss any scheme, hut to consider the advisability of striking a rate for a report. It was decided that a sum not exceeding £lOOO be raised by way of rate, and collected over two years, for a complete survey of the Upper and Lower Lake.

A rate of Jd. in the £ will be necessary, and it was stated that it would take two years to collect the necessary data.