FLOOD DANGER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 12

FLOOD DANGER

GISBORNE DISTRICT DIFFICULT PROBLEM WAIPAOA OUTLET STOPBANK CONTROL The danger of flooding in both town and district from a possible overflow of the Waipaoa River was discussed at a recent conference between members of the Cook County Council and the Poverty Bay River Board. together with the district Public Works Department engineer. Mr. O. G. Thornton. The county chairman, Mr. W. G. Sherratt. presided. In a report of the conference placed before the Cook County Council yes 1 erday, it was stated that some dis-

cussion. took place on the matter of stop-banks, but as neither the River Board nor the County Council had legislative power to prevent the erection of slop-banks cn private property, no resolution on the point was placed before the meeting.

A proposal to cut a channel to bring the river mouth to its original outlet received full consideration. Mr. W. C. Pilmer stated that he had watched the river for 33 years and felt that if some definite action were not taken the district would be visited by a severe flood, when even the town of Gisborne would not escape. Immediate Action Urged Mr. G. V. Smith said that the bodies concerned should not wait until a catastrophe brought the matter to a head, but should act at once. On a question being put to the county engineer, Mr. K. F. Jones, he stated that the position was a very difficult one; that a serious flood was more than a possibility and wished if to be known that he had pointed out the possibilities of a flood that would have very serious results for both the town and country. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Pilmer, it was resolved that the Minister of Public Works be advised of the holding of the conference and asked if the River Control Bill, which he was to lay before Parliament, would include provisions for the control of stop-banks. Possible Delay to Bill A reply to .the letter regarding the River Control Bill was before the meeting yesterday.;when the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, stated that the point was covered in the bill, but owing to the pressure of war business it was open to question as to whether the bill would be considered.

The Cook County Council was represented at the conference by the chairman. Mr. W. G. Sherratt, and Messrs. J. E. Benson. F. S. Bowen, J. T. Gordon, S. T. Gray, G. V. Smith, H. G. Smith, and Chas. Tietjen, with the council officers, and the Poverty Bay River Board by the chairman, Mr. W. C. Pilmer, and Messrs. W. Clark, A. J. Judd and J. Turner. The district engineer, Mr. 6. G. Thornton, also was present at the conference.