HISTORY OF TUTAEKURI SCHEME

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 145, 4 June 1936, Page 11

HISTORY OF TUTAEKURI SCHEME

Problem Dating From Early Days

MR. W. NELSON’S PLAN STANDS

From the early days of settlement in the district the control of

the Tutaekuri river has been a problem, and as far back as 1877,

nearly 60 years ago, a solution was sought whereby safety for the

settlers from flood could be made.

In November of that year a Mr C. B. Knorpp, C.E., at the direction of the then Minister of Public Works, made a report to the Hawke’s Bay County Council on the best means of controlling the Tutaekuri river. The levels given in his report were supplied by Mr James Rochfort, father of Mr Guy Rochfort, present engineer to the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board. Tho following extracts from Mr Knorpp’s report are of particular interest:— “The greatest flood discharge nt the Redclyffe bridge appeared to be at least 6,000,000 cubic yards an hour. “Its flood discharge has been greatly obstructed by the construction of the new Taradale road from Seindo Island, over which the water runs for 3J miles from one to three feet deep. A large amount of the flood escapes over the right bank above and below Meeanee and runs into the Waitangi.

“A weir put across the bed of the Tutaekuri at Redclyffe is proposed to force the flood over an overfall weir, to be constructed at the same place, into a straight channel about three miles in length, which will lead thence direct into Port Ahuriri. “Mr Rochfort has taken levels with a view to the feasibility of diverting the Ngaruroro river into the Tutaekuri behind Omarunui hills, and thence both rivers through the Wharerangi valley into Port Ahuriri.’’ COST OF £53,000. Mr Knorpp’s scheme was estimated to cost £53,000, exclusive of the value of the land required. No action was taken by the council regarding tho proposals made by Mr Knorpp, and little was heard regarding the control of the river until after the disastrous flood in 1897, when some of the Taradale and Meeanee settlers urged that consideration be given to the question of diverting the river through the Wharerangi hills on lines similar to those referred to by Mr Knorpp in his report some 20 years previous. Owing to its impracticability and its inordinate cost the proposal was not persued. shortly afterwards, the late Mr W. Nelson, a public-spirited settler, recognised the urgent need of relief being given to the river and was responsible for instituting works which some 35 years later have culminated in offering the settlers the protection from flood which he visioned and intended to afford them. As chairman of the Clive Rivers Board Mr Nelson commenced on an overflow scheme, and constructed a pilot channel on exactly the same alignment that the river Is now taking from Powdrell’s Bend. A culvert was placed over this channel at Brookfields, but this was washed away in an early flood and the Brookfields bridge, which was only recently reduced to a low-level bridge, was erected. Its life was to have been for only ten years, as it was anticipated that by that time the river would bo fully diverted when a substantial and permanent structure would be required. GOOD UNDONE. Ou account of his work in connection with the Tutaekuri river Mr Nelson lost his seat on the Clive Rivers Hoard, and much followed in later '•ears which was directed at undoing 'be good that Mr Nelson had achieved with his scheme. Over 30 years later it was finally recognised that the solution to the ever-increasing flood menace was on the lines initiated by the late Mr Nelson, which to-day is achieved in the total diversion of the river. Old settlers feel with regret that Mr Nelson was not spared to live long enough to see this work carried out and to have seen the solution to the problem of flood control for which he laid tho foundation. Nothing was doue subsequently to fake adxantage of Mr Nelson's work except to prevent it from functioning, and in 1910 it was recognised that an amalgamation of the various rivers boards in the district — Taradale, Meeanee, Clive and Pukahu —was essential iu order that a bettor control of the rivers could be undertaken. A report was made in the same year to the Minister of Public Works by the acting-Chief Engineer, Mr J. Burnett, M.1.C.E., in which he recommended tho abolition of tho four existing rivers boards and that an undivided control of the rivers be vested in tho Hawke’s Bay County Council. Mr Burnett also recommended that the lino of overflow for the Tutaekuri as selected by the Clive Rivers Board under the chair-

manship of Mr W. Nelson but which required an extension would best serve the district.

This led to the formation of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board in the same year, the late Hon. J. D, Ormond, M.L.C., being the first chairman. In tho following year the ooard appointed Messrs G. Laing Meason, M.1.C.E., C.E., C. D. Kennedy, C.E., and J. B. Thompson, L.D.E., to report on the best means of preventing flood, and for the Tutaekuri river these engineers recommended an overflow scheme from Powdrell’s bend to join with an overflow from the Ngaruroro below the Bi'ookfields bridge For this overflow provision was included for a channel SO feet in width and five feet in depth, the grade running out at the Bi'ookfields bridge The bed of Hie proposed channel was to have been slightly above the normal water-level of the river, and tho cost, of the scheme was estimated at £12,650. NO ACTION TAKEN. No action, however, was taken by the board regarding the recommendations set out in this report. By those in control, Mr Nelson’s scheme, of which the foundation had been laid, was not improved. It may be pointed out chat his pilot channel did not connect with the river, its head being some eight chains distant In order to prevent a scour taking place across the berm into this channel heavy fascines were put in, and tenders were actually accepted for the erection of a bank which was designed effectively to block the river from establishing a connection with the pilot channel. Owing to a legal difficulty, which would have rendered the board liable for heavy compensation, this bank was not proceeded with. Tins fascine work, however, assisted the ultimate diversion of the river. The flood waters constantly getting in behind it resulted in a steady deterioration of tho river channel from PowdreJl’s bend past Meeanee, and from what followed it was a striking example of “tho biter being bitten.” As the bank could not be proceeded with a dense belt of willows was planted to the full width of the berm with a view to arresting further use of the overflow channel. EXCEPTIONAL FLOOD, In July, 1917, an exceptionally heavy Hood occurred, during which numerous protective banks were breached and serious flooding occurred. A largo meeting of ratepayers of the Number 1 and 2 wards was held at Taradale to consider tho position, Air W. G. Jarvis, who took such a prominent pc.it in river board affairs later, presided. A commission was asked for, and m 1919 an inquiry, under the chairmanship of the late Sir Robert Stout, Chief justice, took place. This resulted in an alteration of the constitution of tho board and the fixing of the present rating percentage of the respective wards, lu tho election of the board which followed iu the same year Air Jarvis offered bis services as tho result of representations madu by the Into Mr William Waterhouse, chairman of the Taradale Rivers Board for many years mid a founder of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board, Mr George Rymer, ol the Aleeanee Rivers Boards, Mr Phillip Parsons and others, Mr Jarvis was successful at the poll and has since continuously represented the district on the board In the same year Alessrs Jas. E. Fulton, F. W. Furkert (later engineer-in-chief ol Public Works) and F. C. Hay were appointed to report on the control ol the Tutaekuri, when they recommended a total diversion on identical lines to tho scheme now in the final stages of completion. Mr Hay ic 192-’> in his report also recommended a total diversion. In 1928 Messrs A. J. Baker, 11. Vickerman and It. D. Holmes reported on what is commonly known as the I'i scheme, in which they also rceommeuded a total diversion of the Tutaekuri. MCIIEAJE ADOPTED. In the following year the beard adopted the Hay and Rochi’ort’k scheme providing tor a total diversion, which was approved by the Miuistei of Public Works This scheme which has been carried out by the board is identical with the 1919 scheme known as Scheme A.of the Investigating Committee that sat in 1928. During the period of years under which the above schemes were receiving consideration steps were taken in a small way to improve the Tutaekuri. Mr Jarvis nryed that the district should be given relief on tho lines pro. posed by Air Nelson, and in tho face of opposition moved as an initial step that the willows across the rirer berm

bo cleared and that a channel be cut from the river to connect with the pilot channel made by Air Nelson. Air Jarvis, in urging this move, pointed out that it would cut off to a great extent the siltation that was taking place in the inner Harbour. Tho board felt that Air Jarvis was asking lor too much, but he succeeded in having the willows cleared us a beginning. This he followed by renewing uis request lor a channel to be made, which was met by the overseer befog instructed to clear the line ot the channel of willow stumps. A small drain about three feet was dug to make a connection. This was no soonet finished than a small flood occurred, which resulted m considerable scouring and so was made a nucleus of the present diversion of the river.

Later a changed membership on the board became uiurmed at the progress that Nature was making iu this direction and to prevent a further improvement iu the overflow channel a concrete weir was put iu. This was, however, soon undermined and washed ■mt. The making of this obstruction has since beou known as “The Folly’’ by the settlers. GREAT DEVELOPMENT. An inspection by members of tho board took place soon afterwards when amazement was expressed by certain members as to the development which had occurred from this small work. It became quite apparent as to what would happen in the case ot further floods. Following this Air Nelson’s pilot channel was cleared and graded, the sum of £3OO being spent on the work. By this time the board had approved of Messrs Hay and Rochfort’s scheme lor the diversion of the river. As the result of the earthquake in February. 1931, it was recognised that urgent works would have to be done in order Unit various parts of ibo districts I'lncli bail becuiue seriously threatened should be prelected. A drag-line excavator was put on in Hie overflow channel, and us a leault its capacity was greatly improved. Relief labour was then employed to improve further the channel pending the details and procedure of the scheme being compiled and approved by the Alinister of Public Works, and finance arranged. FINANCE ARRANGED. The lit Hon. .1 G Coates, then. Minister of Finance, on the eve of his departure lor the Ottawa conference gate his assurance that tho need for carrying out the scheme was fully realised and ho relieved the board of any anxiety as to how the finance was to be procured to complete the undertaking.

Substantial assistance wag forthcoming from both the Unemployment Board and the Public Works Department, the remaining portion of tho cost being shared by the various contributing local bodies in the district. In conference in December, 1932, these bodies amicably agreed upon their allocations towards the undertaking, which was a striking contrast to the usual antipathy among the local bodies over a period of many years. In February, 1934, further disastrous flooding occurred at Aleeanee and Papakura. m the following month tile initial work for tne carrying out of the scheme was put m hand, in about ten weeks the old river channel to Aleeanee was banked across, and so was removed the danger to both Meeanee and Papakura. For many months prior to this a natural diversion had taken place of tho normal flow of the river, with the old channel serving only as an overflow. The diverting of the river from tho Waitaiugi through the Washout will protect areas at Farndon and Waitangi from flood by the Tutaekuri. The making ol a cut through the beach to give tho river a separate mouth will complete tho scheme giving protection for a uidcly settled area. Fur tho carrying out of the work credit is due to tho board members, the engineer (Air G. Rochfort), the overseer (Air P. Scullin),, the Public Works engineers and to the men who performed their heavy worn In a manner that, is deserving of commendation.