TAIERI RIVER TRUST

Evening Star, Issue 19579, 10 June 1927, Page 10

TAIERI RIVER TRUST

DRAINAGE WORKS ON THE PLAIN At Monday's meeting of the Taieri River Trust it was decided to pay a visit of inspection to the works in progress on the Plain, and accordingly the following party assembled yesterday and viewed the many activities concerned in making embankments, enlarging channels, etc.: —Messrs 11. T. Sadd (chairman), ML Blackie, A. Moore, F. Johnston, W. J. Marshall, R. A. Kempshall and G. Wylie. Mr E. F. Evans, assistant engineer, Public Works Department, accompanied the party. Ho also occupied a seat on the trust. The party first inspected what is known locally as the cross-cut leading from Air Moynihau’s dam to Duck Creek, at Momona. A fe.v miles further on a pump is at work lifting tho water fro in a drain through the bank into the river. Tho pump was not working to its full capacity. It is capable of lifting 5,000 gal a minute. At present much of the water higher up on the plain cannot reach the pump on account of tho choked condition of the drains, hut every day sees a clearance of tho weeds and grass obstructing tho low of the water.

A number of settlers met tho trust at various points, and -near Momona Mr A. Mnynihau discussed drainage problems. He welcomed the opportunity of placing his and other settlers’ views before the trust, and his recommendations were duly noted.

Kirk’s road drain- claimed attention while the party was on the OtokiaMaungatua road. It was inspected for its full length. The drain is carrying about Ift of slow-running water, principally from creeks in the upper lands, and is capable of carrying in its present condition a considerable volume of water. The “C” drain has very little water in it. It should prove a useful channel in time of flood. The gleaming of drains'by contract was commenced by the trust some time ago, and much interest was displayed by the visitors iii two extensive contracts that are being carried out. Mr Gray has a contract for cleaning out Duck Creek, tho Otokia-Maungatua road drain, Spence's drain, and Bathgate’s drain, a total length of about nine miles. Mr Tavlor's contract comprises Kirk’s road clrain and the “C” drain, a distance of four or five miles. The contractors are required to trim the grass on the sides of the drains and to dean out obstructions on tho bottom to a uniform level.

The inspection of the- big embankment scheme at Henley took up much time. Many maintain that this work is progressing slowly, but tho Public Works Department stale that everything possible is being done to hasten it to completion. It was conimcnced about three years ago, and excellent progress has been made. Id is probable it will take a year yet to complete. Starting at Outram,. the hank runs easterly towards Allanton, southerly to tho Titri railway bridge, then in a westerly direction! round Waipori Lake until it strikes the contour cmbanknioi \ and from there in a northerly direction, finishing at, Outran!, and forming, as it wore, a ring round the district. When tho work is completed jt is hoped that Hoods on the Taieri Plain will bo happenings of the past. Tho mew bank allows any flood water to spread over a much wider area than was formerly given to it. ft is a work that in the end will have cost about £150,000, half of which is being contributed by the Government, and it may mein that an additional rale will bo placed on the settlers in respect of >t; but,- on the oilier hand, if it is a success it will add vastlv to tho value of Taieri land.

At. the next meeting of tho trust tho matters which came under notice yesterday will bo reported on and discussed.