WHIROKINO HIGHWAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 220, 18 August 1931, Page 8

WHIROKINO HIGHWAY.

STEP TOWARD PROTECTION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON Aug. 19. A resolution which will in all probability bring finality to a question which has been befaro tho Moutoa Drainage Board for tho past nino years, and, moro important, will bo tho first stop in protecting tho Whirokino portion of tho main highway from periodical inundation, was passed at last night’s mooting of tho Moutoa Drainago Board. Mr W. E. Barber, chairman of tho Manawatu. County Council and a member of tho Board, who reported that sinco tho last meeting, in company with tho county ongineor, ho had waited on Mr Ronayno, of tho Public Works Department, in connection with the widening of Main Drain and tho outlet and the erection of floodgates at Duok Creek with a view to getting tho flood water off tho Whirokino portion of tho main highway moro expeditiously. Mr Ronayno had asked if the board’s estimates in regard to tho widening of tho Main Drain floodgates and tho erection of extra gates at Buck Creok still stood as thoso two works would undoubtedly prove a vital factor in releasing flood waters from tho area in half tho timo. It was suggested to Mr Ronayno that tho Main Brain bo increased in width and land lovol flood gates a chain wido bo constructed in tho vicinity of Duck Creek. Air Barber pointed out that it was only as a result of the board’s activities that tho Whirokino Road had been kept open at all during the winter and suggested that tho timo had now como when tne Highways Board should take some action in regard to tho matter. Ho asked that the board subsidise tho Drainage Board on tho same torms as it did other bodies for road construction, £3 for £1 in tho matter of widening tho Main Bruin and £2 for £1 for tho erecting of tho flood gates. Mr Bond submitted an estimate of £I2OO in connection with tho formor work and Mr Barber had judged the board to find £3OO of that amount. Tho cost of tho flood gatos had been estimated at £6OO. The proposed works would provide useful work as a relief schomc. Tho Whirokino Road, ha said, was a matter which required serious attention as in its present stato very great loss of timo and money resulted to tho travelling public. Mr Ronayno, who was acquainted with the locality, had intimated that tho proposals would bo placed beforo the Highways Board on Monday when ho would strongly recommond that tile requests bo acceded to.

Alter a considerable discussion and consultation of tho map it was decided that the location ot the swamp level floodgates bo mutually agreed upon between tho Highways Board and tho Drainage Board, that tho gates bo bbft wido and bo erected within tho estimated cost of £boo, provided tho Highways Board contributes £2 for £1 subsidy; and as soon as such mutual arrangement is agreed upon tho necessary stops' bo taken to acquire tho land. It was also decided that tno board was willing to co-operate with the Main Highways Board in widening tho Main Brain floodgates to a total width of 80ft at an estimated cost of £I2OO, conditional upon tho Highways Board subsidising tho work £3 for £l, tho necossary widening of tho, drain to bo done under tho No. 5 scheme.