“A SPLENDID JOB” AND “A WASTE OF MONEY.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 4670, 11 July 1936, Page 3

“A SPLENDID JOB” AND “A WASTE OF MONEY.”

DIVERGENT VIEWS ON WHIRO KINO HIGHWAY DEVIATION.

The Whirokino highway deviation came in for brief discussion at the meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board on Thursday evening.

Trustee D. Purcell said that he had inspected the work now in progress and the Public Works Department was certainly making a splendid job of the northern deviation from Ross’s hill south. All the small pipes which had previously been in existence across Patrick St. had been taken up and replaced by large, ‘'serviceable pipes at a lower depth which would give a maximum of drainage. The men were working well on the job and it was pleasing to see such excellent progress being maintained.

The Chairman (Mr J. Chrystall) was not of the same opinion, however. He considered the northern deviation unnecessary and expressed the opinion that the road should have followed the original route as there was ample , ground available at the corners of both Johnston and Patrick Sts. to permit an improvement of these corners. “In my opinion,” he concluded, “it is an absolute waste of money.” SAND FOR FILLING.

(Mr /Chrystall asked what the various excavations along the route were for and Trustee Purcell said that these were to provide filling for the raising of the road. The heavy top soil was, removed until sand was exposed and this was used for the filling work. METAL HANDY. The Chairman said that he had told those in charge of the work of the .existence of a seam of metal ten foot thick and 6ft. 6in. below the surface in the vicinity of Ross’s hill. He thought they would have used, this but supposed the presence of water would prevent its excavation.

Trustee W. E. Barber (Chairman of the Manawatu County Council) : The Council knew all about that but it ivas too hard to get at. . Still, grab dredges would experience no difficulty in digging the metal out.

DRAINAGE FACILITIES QUESTIONED. Trustee Barber said that Mr B. G. Gower had asked him to draw attention to a “pocket” which was being left by the Department between the ramp and the bridge over the Main Drain. The new road was being constructed diagonally across the area between the ramp and the 571 chain section and this, it was stated, would Rave the “pocket” to fill up with water as no outlets were being provided in this section.

The Chairman expressed the opinion that the water would find its way back into the Main Drain. Trustee Barber: With the pressure of flood water behind it, it is likely to go over the banlkis.

Trustee F. Woods said that there were a number of large pipes on the site mentioned jind he, understood that these were to be 1 , used in the deviation for drainage purposes. Trustee Purcell / endorsed this opinion. REASONS FOR RECENT FLOODING.

Trustee Woods said that there would have been no water over the Whirokino recently had it not been for the gap in the floodbank on Mr Burke’s property to the west of the highway. This property, he understood, was controlled by the Public Trust. There was a gap in the bank on the property which allowed. the river to flow into the lower Whirokino basin with every spring tide. During the recent flood he had seen the flood '.waters from this breach meet the flood waters from the Moutoa on Mr C. Satherley’s property. It was a great pity something was not done to fill the gap. All that was required was about 21 chains of three foot banking. The Chairman: !Five or six chains to make it. absolutely safe. The hole could be mended foi* £lO and the whole bank made safe for ahout £3O. It is a great pity nothing is done to remedy the position