MAKERUA DRAINAGE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7321, 3 September 1930, Page 4

MAKERUA DRAINAGE

Recent Flood Does Very Little Damage

Tlio Makerua Drainage Board . met yesterday, Mr H. J. T. Hume presiding. There were also present Messrs J. H. L. Liggins, H. Barber, J. F. Carter, T. D. Lynch, 11. Grieg, and the engineer, Mr F. C. Hay. The Modified Scheme. In regard to the modified scheme of flood-control to be undertaken by the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, the chairman reported that no .finality had yet ban reached in regard to the Makerua’s relation to the scheme under the findings of the .River Commission. The opinion had been feachcd, however, that so far as,tho Makefua Board was concerned, there was no reason why an agreement should be reached until the classification had been dealt with.

It appeared that the river board would come to an arrangement whereby benefit would bo given by way of classification instead of money in payment for the banks already built, explained Mr Hume. The River Commission had apportioned the Makerua 'Drainago Board's cost of the proposed works at £18,416, and the amount to bo paid by the River Board to the Makerua in . cash .or its equivalent in rating at £71,975. A special meeting would be called after the. classification had been adopted and this would give the. ratepayers a chance to discuss the position. Proposed Loan. The chairman, in reporting on the application to the Public Works Department on the the proposed loan for willow planting, said that the subsidy had been refused. Messrs. Nash, Linklater and Field, M's. P. for the district, however, intended making further application this week. Tho reason for the refusal was that it was held that the Makerua had had its share of assistance recently. “They have treated us very well during the past two years, but that is no reason why we should not get this," declared the chairman, adding that there was a great deal of unemployment in the district that bad to be taken into consideration. The subsidy for job 10 had certainly been approved, but this camo out of the large river scheme. In reply to a question, Mr Hume slated that at first a £2 for £1 subsidy had been asked on £IOOO, but in view of tho refusal the board would be willing to go ahead with the work if a £1 for £1 grant were made. The members for the district had been acquainted of this fact and it was anticipated that a favourable reply would bo received shortly.. Engineer’s Review.

The board’s engineer, (Mr. F. C. Hay), reported: Six men are engaged planting at the Shannon bridge where 21,000 stakes have been planted and the work. is practically complete above tho briugo. Tho balance of the stakes for the portion below tho bridge will be obtained I'iom tho Main drain and brought down the Tokonmru. Poplars will be planted alongside the fences to provide posts for the future. Repairs have been practically completed at the uppri Whitanui. Two men and the board’s team are at work at. this point and the willows are being obtained from the Whitaunui swamp. Repair work will be commenced at lower Whitaunui within a few days. The flood did a certain amount of damage to the lower end of the Opui protection but this is not serious enough to demand special attention. Repairs _ will be commenced as soon as possible. Six teams arc at work enlargening and deepening the lower cut of job Lo. 10, and some repairs are also needed, at Coley’s in the middle of the protection. At the interesting channel tho pump was stopped for six days during August, owing to the floods. The channel has been cleared of small blockages, and burning off through poplar will be done as soon as the weather permits. On the whole the recent flood did little damage to tho protection works. Tho report was adopted. It was resolved to keep the pump going at the intersecting channel for a further period of six months. Members generally expressed satisfaction with this work and the chairman pointed out that the engineer would shortly bring down a report on the matter.