PAPAKURA’S PLIGHT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 147, 7 June 1932, Page 6

PAPAKURA’S PLIGHT

COUNTY’S SUGGESTIONS REPORT BEFORE RIVERS BOARD Grave concern is being felt by the Hawke’s Bay County Council regarding the constant damage to the roads in Lower Papakura through flooding, and at to-day’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board the following report by Mr. R. Puflett, engineer to the Council, was read: — “An inspection was made of the overflow channel below the Brookfields bridge, and in my opinion the position will be very serious if the Rivers Board does not improve the condition by deepening and widening the channel. During the recent floods the roads in Papakura district suffered considerably, and as the water is still running over the road I am unable to estimate the extent of the damage. “I suggest that a letter be sent to the Rivers Board pointing out that unless something is done to improve the condition of the overflow the Council will be faced with the following difficulties: (1) The great risk of losing the Brookfields bridge; (2) the flooding of the roads will continue by the breaking of the banks at Fairey’s bend while the overflow channel is in its present state.” In an accompanying letter the clerk, Mr. 'A. H. Ferguson, on behalf of the Council, asked the Board to give serious consideration to the matter contained in the engineer’s report. Mr. Ferguson pointed out that any deviation of the river from its existing channels would necessitate the building of a now bridge and other costly road work. Tho Council viewed the present state of the Tutaekuri river with much concern, while its ratepayers were suffering much hardsihp through loss of suitable road access to their homes. The Council, added Mr. Ferguson, desired to know what steps the Board proposed to take to deal -with the position. Mr. L. Harris said he was opposed to outside local bodies dictating to the Board what it should do. As soon as tho Board attempted to do anything others always seemed to step in mid advise the Board. He considered that such an action was nothing more than impertinence. The chairman (Mr. W. G. Jarvis) pointed out that the report by Mr. Puflett was to his council, and not to tho Board. Mr. Harris: I am sorry; 1 did not know that was the case. THE BROOKFIELDS BRIDGE. Air. C. Lassen said that the Council viewed recent happening with grave concern. Many of its roads were becoming overflow channels If something were not done the Brookfields bridge would soon be left high and dry and tho settlers on one side would be cue off. Realis-ng the serious position, the report hud been made to the Council.

The chairman: We quite understand the position. There is no doubt- that the settlers have been urging the Council to do something.

Mr. R. E. Talbot considered that the letter did not offer a solution to the trouble, but placed the board in a position of greater difiicullv.