PETONE DRAINAGE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 66, 18 March 1924, Page 2

PETONE DRAINAGE

WATER FROM WESTERN HILLS.

The subject of the disposal of the water from the western hills which does damage in Petone during heavy rains has been the subject of many reports to the, council. Various schemes have been considered, some even approved, and then abandoned. The latest scheme was to divert Eiddler's Creek down Victoria street to the sea. In reference to this scheme the borough engineer, Mr. A. Comre, reported to his council last evening as follows:—

"The proposal to divert Eiddlor's Greek down Victoria street to the sea, and thus leave the Nelson street culvert to deal with Percy's Creek, has been m-oyed to be quite inadequate. Observation was made during the last flood, and though a great part of the flood water from Percy's Creek was flowing out at Regent street, and none of Riddlers Creek entering the culvert, water was being discharged from the street sumps at Udy street and Nelson street and John street and Nelson street whilst at the intersection of John and Islington streets the roadway was covered to. the extent of eighteen inches, showing that when the tide was high the Nelson- street culvert was not able to carry the water from Percy's creek alone, Ihe scheme for the diversion of Riddlers Creek should be abandoned, and the larger stream—Percy's—should be dealt with. I would recommend that this creek be taken out of Nelson street culvert entirely, with the exc- Pption of a small portion which would be allowed to flow down Nelson street for (lushing purposes. The creek should be diverted by means of a culvert direct to the western arm of the Hutt River, there are_np exceptional difficulties on this route. The difference in level from invert of culvert at Hutt road to surface ot water in river at the time the levels were taken is Bft Bin, and this may be considered satisfactory, though a good deal more head can be obtained by culverting the creek west of the Hutt road. Ihe level of the invert of the present culvert at the intersections or Nelson and Udy streets is one foot below the water level'in the river which means that if the culvert were put m level from that point there would always be one foot of water in it. The level O f th e invert at intersection of Nelson and John streets is one ' foot higher than the water in the river, and it the culvert were started at that point there would be one foot of fall in the length approximately 60 chains. Even it the culvert were level there is no doubt about the efficiency provided the f bV^r* , haw wi£ fu f? r,deallnS with the storm water north of the culvert." The matter was referred to the Works Committee, with power to call in eS pert