MAKERUA BANKS RIVER BREACHES

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 February 1936, Page 8

MAKERUA BANKS RIVER BREACHES

AURMING SITUATION FACES SETTLERS.

PLAINS NOW AT MERCY OF SLIGHTEST RISE IN RIVER

APPEAIi FOR NATIONAL ASSISTANCE

So serious a breach has been made by the flood on Monday in the stopbank protecting the Makerua Plains from the waters of the Manawatu river, that unless something is hastily accomplished, thousands of acres of fertile farmlands will be at the mercy of the slightest rise that may eventuate in future. The situation is alarming, and realising the urgent need for the gap in the protection bank to be filled, members of the Makerua Drainage Board assembled on the spot yesterday with Mr C. jj. Hunter, member for Manawatu, and appealed to him for national assistance. The settlers, it was ' pointed out, are so heavily rateu at present, that it was impossible for them to do anything from their own finances. Tho Manawatu river put a tremendous strain on the stopbanks on Monday. A flood that comes up and then starts to go down again straight away is bad enough for the banks, but. one that continues at an extremely high peak for several hours, as on Monday, soon weakens the thin earthem wall. Fortunately in tho present case the breach occurred as the river was falling, otherwise there would have been disaster at the Makerua to record. As it is, close upon 1000 acres at tho lower end are covered with water. The breach in the stopbank is about two chains wide and is located about half a mile upstream from Coley's bend, which is another danger spot. The point where the breach occurred has always been a weak one, as it is there that Seifert's drain empties into the Manawatu through floodgates. TLuwater started to pour through at six o'clock yesterday morning and will not cease till the river is back to normal. The second danger point is at Coley's bend, where the river sweeps round on a hairpin course. Encroachments by Hoods last year have gradually brought the river right to tho foot of the stopbank, and now the district is faced with the erection of another bank further back. This work is almost as urgent as the filling of the breach made yesterday morning. After the tour of inspection, drainage board members and Mr Hunter met in conference at Opiki hall, whore the board chairman, Mr 11. Seifert, pointed out that they w r ere right up to their limit in the matter of finances. Bates had come in fairly well, but tho board had heavy commitments to meet and certainly no money for emergency jobs. Under such circumstances what could the board do? Their only recourse was to appeal to the Government for assistance. Mr Seifert explained that a cut had been made through the narrow Isthmus of land around which the river swept, at Coley' s bend, spending something like £4OOO as well as having the assistance of relief labour. But the trouble was that the cut would be of no major assistance untii it became deeper, and for all one knew that might take a decade. Mr Hunter agreed that the breach in the stopbank at Seifert's drain would have to be closed immediately, otherwise between 0000 and 7000 acres were at tho mercy of the river. Mr Seifert said it would mean an increase in the rates if the board at tempted to do the work and the lane

could not afford it. Mr Hunter asked what the rates were, Mr Seifert replying that the Opiki hall was rated at 225, and whilo the figures varied they were close up

to the £1 mark. Trustee E. E. Mabin stated that if the Public Works could establish a ramp in the vicinity immediately, it would be very nice. He pointed to the difficulty of getting labour, and Mr Hunter admitted that the position was not an easy one to meet, even for the Government. Mr Mabin drew attention to the fact that the Government had given a' rebate on county rates, and wondered If the privilege could be extended to drainage rates. Drainage rates were far heavier than the county one.

Mr Seifcrt also directed attention to fact that because of the fertility of Opiki lands, the settlers did not tieed manures and so did not get any of the assistance the Government had meted out in that direction. He further pointed out that recently the Horowhemia County Council had roped some 20 special rating areas into the | general rate and now Opiki settlers were helping to pay for work that had been done for special purposes ■in other parts of the county. The only assistance the drainage board had had was a little relief labour.

Mr Hunter congratulated the board | members on the way they had presented their case and thanked them and the settlers present for leaving tho work on their farms and showing him over the area. It was obvious the settlers were trying to better their position an (J he thought the Government would do its best to help. As regards the devastation that had taken place as a result of Sunday's, storm, he did not know what the (tovernment would do, but lie thought

those really in need of assistance would get it. Mr Seifert pointed to the destruction at the Opiki hall which had been partly unroofed. The settlers had found the whole of the money for its erection and would no doubt have to make good the damage. Mr Hunter meets Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, in Palmerston North to-day, and will place the requests of the board before him.