KAWAU STREAM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 302, 19 November 1935, Page 12

KAWAU STREAM

RELIEF FROM FLOODING. TAKARO RESIDENTS’ REQUEST. Representations for some relief from the flooding created by the periodical overflowing of the Kawau Stream were made to the Palmerston North City Council, last night, by a deputation of about thirty residents from the affected area. The deputation was sponsored and organised by the Takaro Progressive Association, being introduced by Cr W. B. Tennent. The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford), in welcoming the deputation, stated that the council had been considerably worried for years past by water from the Kawau Stream, and it would be glad to find a solution to tlie trouble. During tlie last few months the stream had flooded no fewer than five times, said Mr E. H. Smith, for the deputation. The overflowing of the stream had caused inconvenience and annoyance to residents, and was considered to be a menace to public health. The Takaro Progressive Association appreciated the consideration that its representations had in tho past received from the council, and came to the council not to find fault, but with a specific request for citizens. The flooding was not an encouragement to people to build houses in this area, and periodically damage was done to the Takaro Bowling Chib’s green. Mr IV. Ellis, the other speaker for the deputation, stressed the damage being occasioned by flooding at tho western end of Featherston Street and Botanical Road. On October 30 and November 7 flooding had occasioned great inconvenience, which was not a new experience, but one of some years’ standing. The state of things on such occasions was a disgrace to the city. The Kawau drain, taking the surface water, was a very important part of the city’s drainage system and was carrying an increasing amount of water. He had formed the opinion that the flood waters had opened the gates on the culverts instead of closing them, while in some cases blockage by rubbish and jambing in other ways prevented proper action. There were several low places in the stopbanks requiring raising to confine the water to the correct .channel. MENTION OF A LOAN.

Cr IV. B. Cameron asked if the association would be prepared to support a loan proposal by the council to divert the stream at tlie northern end of the city.

Mr Smith replied that the association did not wish to incur the antagonism of the Terrace End Progressive Association by such procedure, and did not consider that “tnrowing the water from one end of the city to the other” would improve matters. It was a problem for the council to solve.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for making the representations. It was realised, he said, that exceptional trouble had been experienced and the flooding was undoubtedly a menace to health. He would suggest to the council that it communicate with the city solicitors to ascertain the position with regard to the floodgates, securing an opinion on the correspondence which had been entered into by the previous council. If the council could meet the deputation in any way it would endeavour to do so, but it would require to ascertain its position in regard to the gates and the property owners. The deputation then retired, Mr Smith assuring the council that they would come back again if their representations did not bear fruit.

On the motion of the Mayor, all correspondence on the matter was referred to the municipal solicitors for an opinion.

The city engineer (Mr J. R. Hughes) explained that tlie floodgates on the stream gave good service, but when an exceptional flood was being carried by the stream they were unable to cope with tho local water.