IMPORTANT WORK

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 43, 20 January 1926, Page 7

IMPORTANT WORK

FLOODGATE AT RANGIOTU. DISTRICT BODIES PARTICIPATING. An important undertaking which is engaging tho attention of several local public bodies at tho present time is tho matter of tho replacement of a bridge on tho main highway between Palmerston North and RangiotUj together with a floodgate''which it is hoped to liavo built in tho lower part of the proposed new bridge. Conversing with a “Standard” reporter on the proposal, a member of ono of tho local bodies concerned pointed out that, running in all directions and tapping all that section of country between the bridge over the Oroua river at Feilding and Rangiotu in the south wore innumerable drains, yet, strangely enough, there were only two outlets —tho Mangaono and Main drains —for the accumulated water therefrom. Tho latter drain, which is a most important waterway, was unfortunately only of tho same carrying capacity as six of tho othor drains, while to make matters worso the Manawatu river when in flood had tho effect of backing up tho Main drain, with tho result that a largo portion of tho country-sido became inundated. As tho Kairanga County Council, togotlior with tho Main Highways Board, is interested in tho replacement of tho road bridgo spanning tho Main drain at a point some distance this sido of Rangiotu, it was hoped that it would be possiblo for all bodies interested to co-operato to lia- o a floodgato orected in conjunction with tho bridge, tho bottom structure of the bridgo to act as tho walls of tho floodgate.

As a result of tho Manawatu river flooding during tho past year and tho backing of tho waters, some three feet of silt had accumulated in the Main drqin, which tho installation of a floodgato at tho bridge site would prevent in tho future. Tho point at which tho bridgo is to bo erected is a sharp angular turn, at present marked by a small concrete structure, its narrowness, in view of tho sharpness of tho turn, being dangerous to motor traffic. AVlien built, tho new bridgo, which will bo 30 feet in width, will do much to remedy this unsatisfactory position. It is proposed to raise a loan of approximately £SOOO for the work of installing tho floodgato and improving tho carrying capacity of the drain in addition to the bridge, tho structure itself being estimated to cost some £2500. As there are several bodies concerned in tho matter, it has been suggested that an outside engineer bo engaged, but, added our informant, tho work will be pressed forward immediately.