BOARD CENSURED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4128, 29 April 1949, Page 7

BOARD CENSURED

VALLEY DRAINAGE UNAUTHORISED WORKS CATCHMENT BOARD’S CONCERN Strong exception to the Thames Valley Drainage Board’s disobedience of an order from the Hauraki Catchment Board, in allowing two unauthorised diversions to be made to the Waitoa river, was expressed by members of the catchment board at its last meeting. The normal flow of the river was interfered with at two points adjacent to the Waitoa township. In his report to the meeting of the catchment board, the chief engineer, Mr G. Davies, commented on the action of the drainage board as follows:—

“ My attention was drawn recently to a bend in the Waitoa river where severe erosion was taking place in period of flood. The settler wanted my approval to a river diversion to prevent this erosion, to which I could not agree. This led to the cuts being put in the river upstream by the Thames Valley Drainage Board, which I immediately investigated.

“ The river had been diverted at two points between Bailey’s bridge and Waitoa township. The lower one was 8 ft. deep, 80 ft. long and 19 ft. wide. The upper one was 5 ft. deep, 300 ft. long and 16 ft. wide. It is anticipated that considerable quantities of loose soil and material will be washed down the river in the first flood, and it is very unlikely that flood water will take kindly to the new channels provided. “ The views of this board were conveyed to the Thames Valley Drainage Board last November, when it was explained to them why we could not approve of any diversions until the whole river was fully examined.” Misunderstanding Admitted The work on the river had been done on the instruction of a member of the drainage board who admitted that he had misunderstood the peculiar relations between the two local bodies. Regret at what had happened had been expressed by the drainage 'board, and an assurance had been given to the catchment board that it would recognise the board’s authority. There was a lot of over-lapping of control between drainage boards and the catchment board, stated the chairman, Mr H. M. Corbett. That overlapping would have to be avoided. The blocks that had been put in the river would have to be removed, said the engineer, Mr Davies. If they were not removed the river would sweep them out and take a lot of soil with them. Mr L. E. Cooke put in a plea for the drainage board, and stated that he believed that there had been a genuine misunderstanding. The engineer could not agree. A warning that the incident could be taken as a precedent if nothing was done, was made by Mr 0. G. Thornton. Very Serious Matter The matter was a very serious one, said Mr E. Taylor. A series of cuts would cause a lot of scouring, they would increase the velocity of the fall, and detrimentally affect an already serious silting problem. He considered that the best action was to see that no payment was made for the work. Mr J. Pohlen said that he was not convinced that it would be worthwhile to open up the other channel again. A lot of people further down the river had to be considered, said Mr D. G. McMillan. It meant that the engineers would have to maintain a much closer supervision, commented Mr Corbett. A letter that had been drafted by the engineer as a communication to the drainage board was read to the meeting. Upon hearing the letter the board authorised it to be sent to the drainage board. The letter was as follows:— “ The board views with concern the action of your contractors in making two diversions in the Waitoa river, when specific instructions were given to your board on November 2 that no diversions could be permitted until a full survey of the river had been made. It is noted that these diversions were excavated without the knowledge of your board as a board, and it is considered that such could not occur if the work was being adequately supervised. “ The catchment board wishes to point out that the only work authorI ised on the Waitoa river is the re--1 moval of willow growth, and must request that your board adhere strictly to a willow clearing programme only.

The performing of certain bank protecting works may be* approved, provided the approval of the catchment board’s engineer is first obtained. Stop Payment of Subsidy “ Should any further unauthorised work be performed on the Waitoa river, steps will be taken immediately to stop payment of the subsidy, and the catchment board will seriously consider taking action under section 143 of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act, 1941, by taking over the work and charging the drainage board with the cost. “An inspection of the two unauthorised diversions by the chairman and engineer reveals that they have been designed in an unsatisfactory manner, and that no account has been taken of alignment of these diversions. “ It has been noted also that where piese diversions have been made that the original channels have been blocked and willows planted across the blockades. Under the circumstances the board has decided that these blockades must be removed immediately and the original channels reopened to the complete satisfaction of the chief engineer. “ The catchment board considers that much more effective supervision of the work is necessary, and requests that steps be taken to ensure that more adequate supervision of the work is maintained,” the letter ended.