FLOOD PROTECTION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 159, 21 June 1935, Page 6

FLOOD PROTECTION

Scheme for Ngaruroro River, SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT Board Chairman Hopeful Proposals for flood-control of the Ngaruroro, involving an expenditure »f £158,000, were placed before the Public Works Department and Unemployment Board on Tuesday by a deputation from the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board. Mr C. Lassen, chairman of the board, said last evening, on his return to Hastings, that he was hopeful that arrangements would be made for financing the scheme.

The deputation, which in addition to Mr Lassen consisted of Mr R; E. Talbot, deputy-chairman, Mr G. Rochfort, engineer, and Mr W. J. Pallot, secre tary, interviewed the Hon. J. Biteheaer, Minister of Public Works, and Mr J. Bromley, deputy-chairman of the Unemployment Board. Mr C. J. Baker, engineer of the Public Works Depart ment, was present during the discussions. Armed with detailed estimates, plans of the proposed scheme, and aerial photographs of the area affected by the recent flood, the deputation was able to impress upon Mr Bitchener and Mr Bromley the need for flood protection work being undertaken. Mr Bromley fully appreciated the importance of the undertaking as a means for providing useful work for men who would otherwise be unemployed, said Mr Lassen. It was pointed out that as the Tutaekuri scheme neared completion men and teams would become available for work on the Ngaruroro. The proposals are to be placed before a meeting of the Unemployment Board upon whose favourable decision the fulfilment of the undertaking very largely depends. Provided the Unemployment Board decides to contribute an adequate sum towards the total cost of the labour there is every reason to believe that the Public Works Department will agree to a substantial subsidy being granted, continued Mr Lassen. With uncra ployment grant and Public Works sub sidy the Rivers Board would be in a position to finance the scheme. Thu greater part of the total expenditure will be for wages and payment to the owners of horse teams. In the course of the discussion it was

revealed that it was desirable to extend the length of the new railway bridge at Whakatu by 60 feet to a total length of 400 feet. This bridge is now under construction, the cost being a charge upon the Railways Board. The cost of the additional 60 feet, it was agreed, should be regarded as part of the flood-prevention scheme. The Minister offered to grant a £1 for £1 subsidy for this work provided th* Rivers Board made a similar contribution. With the new bridge built to a length of 400 feet the river at this point will carry tho maximum volume of water which it is intended shall be carried by tho main channel during a flood. • ~