THE THING NEEDFUL.

Marlborough Express, Volume VII, Issue 422, 17 August 1872, Page 6

THE THING NEEDFUL.

Sir,— As one of the sufferers by the overflow of the Opawa, I beg the favour of saying a few words on a subject which so seriously effects the interests of the whole community—stopping the flow of the water from the old channel of the Wairau, into the Opawa will perhaps be a necessary work to perform when there are means to pay for it—but that alone, was it done tomorrow, would not prevent the flooding of a large tract of valuable land, that is, it would be valuable but for the flooding, nor would any work this province will have the money to execute above the Opawa bridge be strong enough or extensive enough to secure the town of, Blenheim from partial flooding. A great deal of good may be done for the time by a bank here and a groin there, but it will be of a very temporary character unless aided by a work, every man owning land in the Lower Wairau knows to be necessary as well as I do, and that is a channel for the water to escape by. I have had many years experience in connection with works of this kind, and though I do not endorse all that Mr Collie says on the question of a straight course, l am satisfied of the truth of my statement, when I say that a channel could be cut for a comparatively small sum, which would save thousands of pounds every year which are now lost, without benefiting any one. During the late flood there was from ten to twelve feet of water , over what is known as “Wratt’s paddock.” Now, sir, a cutting could be made from'the corner of that land, a good portion of it on the Government road reserve ; it would only require digging about one spade deep, with the exception of about a quarter of a mile, where it would have to be perhaps two feet; it ought to be at the least half a chain wide, or if a little wider no harm, the. water which now overflows would then escape with a straight run of about three miles, instead of as at present running sixteen, or may be more, and coming into the very heart of the town. By the plan I would propose, a fresh may be in the river, and neither the townspeople, or the farmers along the, banks, know anything about it, for before it could overflow it would be mingling with the blue waters of Cook Straits, Ae I do

not wish to intrude on your space too much at once, I must conclude, with the respectful request that you will allow me to add a few more particulars at a future date. I am, &c., .if'. Ploughshare.