FLOOD DANGER

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 284, 27 August 1930, Page 6

FLOOD DANGER

Moera Settlement WORK RECOMMENDED Government Subsidy Granted Although improvements effected to the Awamotu stream by straightening its course, constructing larger culverts through the Hutt Park, ami clearing the channel through the settlement, have greatly prevented flooding, residents _ot Moera (Lower Hutt) and adjoining blocks have complained that water lying in the swampy areas in and adjacent to the settlement is a menace to the health of the community, and have asked lor something more to be done. . Yesterday it was stated that Cabinet had approved of a recommendation by the Minister of Public Works (the Hom W B. Taverner) that a substantial sub; sidy be granted for. the carrying out ot works to prevent flooding of that settlement by the Awamotu stream. Ihe work is estimated to cost £3o()0. llio Government is prepared to provide threefourths of this sum if the local bodies concerned will find the balance. Representations concerning their complaints were made by the residents of Moera to Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., and at his request the then Minister ot Railways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner), in company with Government, borough, and river board officials, inspected the locality, and as a consequence gave instruetions that a committee consisting of the Chief engineer. Railway Department, the Assistant Bngineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, and the borough and river board engineers, and the Chief Surveyor, should prepare a report on the whole position and make recommendations for alleviating the trouble. Difficult Problem. The report, released for publication by the Minister of Public Works yesterday, indicates that the problem is a difficult one owing to the fact that the fall in the ■ stream is extremely small, and that some of the low-lying lands are bejow high spring tide level. The committee finds that the works already carried out by the River Board and through' the Hutt Park have greatly improved the situation, but recommends that further improvements be carried oiit by filling in certain, of the swamp areas between? White’s Line and Elizabeth Street, and the enlarging of the culvert at Elizabeth Street. The committee also stresses the need . for keeping the stream beds of both the Waiwetu and Awamotu Streams cleaned out. The Wellington City Council's water mains cross the channel of the Awajnotu Stream in the Hutt Park, and offer some obstruction to the flow. The committee expresses the opinion that some alteration should be made there to provide a free flow for the flood waters. The Recommendations. The recommendations involve the provision of an additional waterway at Elizabeth Street, at a cost of £150; the filling in of the low-lying ground between White’s Line and Awamotu Street, at a cosCof £18.0; and the filling in of a considerable area of raupo swamp adjoining the stream and adjacent to cottages between the industrial line and Elizabeth. Street, to cost £3OOO. The committee expresses the opinion that the remedial measures outlined, will prevent flooding save in the Hutt Park during ordinary -abnormal conditions, but in the event of a combination of exceptional circumstances such as may occur from time to time in any part of the world, flooding may still conceivably occur. To make provision for such an occurrence is, in the opinion of tho committee, unjustified in the existing circumstances, as to do so would entail resorting to a suitable pumping scheme at a very considerable cost. Moreover, should such a scheme be necessary at any time. in the future, nothing which had been done up to, the present would be found unnecessary, and the cost in that case would not be increased. The question of public health being affected by the breeding of mosquitoes in .the low-lying areas between White’s Line and Elizabeth Street has been rqised by residents in the vicinity. The committee states that , the areas referred to may be breeding grounds for mosquitoes, but that it is problematical Whether the health of the community is adversely affected on that account. The swampy areas, however, must necessarily cause dampness in the vicinity, which may be inimical to health. This is one of the reasons that gave rise to the recommendation for reclaiming the swampy areas in certain localities. It. is anticipated that sales of reclaimed sections will reimburse the Government to the extent of about £lOOO. Question of Costs. Referring to the committee's report, the member for the district, Mr. Walter Nash, stated that discussions were now being entered into with a view to the work being undertaken aS soon as possible. Early action, he maintained, was necessary not only from a social and health point of view, but because the scheme would give relief to the large, number- of unemployed in the district', who could do the work quite well.. Mi. Nash said that the question of adjustment of costs as between the Government and the local bodies affected had still t.o be decided. He considered that work proposed to be done would be advantageous to all concerned.