THE MANGAORE STREAM.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 October 1931, Page 3

THE MANGAORE STREAM.

MAINTENANCE OF TAIL RACE. Eeeently a deputation waited on the Government in reference to the Public Works Department's decision to abandon the maintenance of the tail race of the Mangaore stream which carries the overflow water from the Mangahao Hydro Electrical Works. In reply to the deputation the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, has written to Mr J. Linldater, M.P., advising that the Government accepts the offer made (by- the Makerua Drainage Board, namely, to take over and accept responsibility for the stream through the Board's area, on payment by the Department to the Board of the sum of £IOO and that he has given •directions for the payment of that sum accordingly. With regard to the statement made by Mr Carter that £250 had ben paid to the lessee of his property (Mr Eichwhich he alleged proved that the Government admitted damage to that property, he stated he would like to explain, for the information of the Board, that such payment was for the flooding of about 55 acres each winter from the time the water was turned on in November, 1924, until the stream was dredged in 1927. The fact that no compensation was paid or even claimed by Mr Eichardson for the period after the stream was dredged, proves conclusively, on the contrary, that there was no damage beyond the temporary damage elaimed and paid for. With regard to the proportion of the stream outside of the Drainage Board's district, the Department eontends that the maintenance of the banks is no more costly now than it was prior to the extra water being turned on, and so far as the bridges are concerned, it must, he thought, be admitted that there is considerable benefit from being able to cross the stream with stock and implements at any time, irrespective of floods. If satisfactory settlements can ibe made with regard to the matter, the Department will ibe prepared to renew any defective portions of the bridges with hardwood timber before they are finally taken over.