FLOOD PROBLEM.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 September 1935, Page 4

FLOOD PROBLEM.

DISTRESS Or SETTLERS IN LOWER MAKERUA. 2,500 ACRES 'OF PASTURE W INUNDATED. A large deputation waited on the Makerua Drainage Board on Thursday asking for relief from repeated flooding of their lands in the lower area. Members of the deputation urged on the Board the need for constructive measures to remedy a position that wast causing a ruinous curtailment of butter-fat production. It was agreed that Government assistance must he the eventual solution. The position was adequately set out by Mr. A. Seifert, who in a letter placed before the Board stated that the estimated ami flooded was 2500 acres, to an average depth of nine inches. The flooding- was caused by a great fleail of local rain not being able to get. away through the floodgates being closed by flood water in the Manawatu and Tokomaru rivers. The rain filled up the drains, then overflowed, covering the low-lying country with water that came from higher levels until about 2500 acres were covei'ed with water for a considerable time before the flood-gates opened to let ths water away. Great damage was done to the pasture and a severe set-hack was given to stock, especially dairy cattle. By way of .remedying the trouble Mr. Seifert suggested an efficient electric pumping service, including several pumps at various points instead of the one existing large unit at the main intersection channel flood-gate. Pumps of five times the capacity of the present one, would be needed. It was suggested that the Board get a comprehensive report from a competent engineer as to the cost of a scheme to prevent future flooding. The Public Works Engineers had had a great deal of experience of draining swamps and disopsal of flood waters. It was quite possible the Government would allow its engineers to report, acting on the grounds that retention of fertility of the land was important from a national point of view. The deputation was the outcome of a large meeting of settlers, said Mr. P. K. Robinson. At present farms were serviceable for only seven or eight, months of the year. The waters did not really retire until November. The matter was one that had long agitated the mind of the Board, said Trui-tee. T. D. Lynch, and the possibility of .serious trouble had been realised. But the matter was one -calling for the co-operation of ratepayers, mortgagees and the Government. The Makerua drainage system, as undertaken by the farmers on their own resources, was a great burden, and one that called for Government assistance. On a past occasion a .subsidy of £I3OO had been granted. He did not think that an outlay such as would be entailed by Mr. Seifert's suggestions could be undertaken by the Board unaided. The present pump was a heavy expense and to instal five would 'be a sheer impossibility for the Board on its own <resources. The conclusion was that the Board should obtain infomation as to levels, etc., consider the merits of a drainage or an electrical pumping scheme, and offer its findings to a meeting of the "settlers. This was agreed on as the pre-requisite to a request for Government assistance. Unless assistance was forthcoming the time was near when settlers would be either rated off or washed off, or would be compelled to walk off, concluded Mr. Robinson.