ROOD WATERS ENTER AT BACK DOOR

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 132, 7 June 1935, Page 10

ROOD WATERS ENTER AT BACK DOOR

Tainui Basin Wants Banks Improved on Orona

RIVER BOARD ASKED TO UNDERTAKE OPERATIONS

That it was of little purpose to erect pretentious stopbanks on the Manawatu river at Hamilton’s bend unless complementary works were undertaken on the Oroua, was tho contention of a deputation to tho Manawatu-Oroua Kiver Board yesterday. The Tainui basin, for the protection of which the Hamilton’s bend scheme was instituted, was recently flooded to Foxton line and beyond by swirl-

ing waters from the Oroua. The deputation comprised Messrs M. A. Eliott, W. Weddell (for Holden’s estate) and B. Pratt. There wore apologies for several others. Board members present wero Messrs A. A. Mitchell (chair), W. S. Carter, J. Caliesen, W. Jackson, H. J. Lancaster, T. D. Lynch, B. G. Gower, B. J. Law. Mr. Lancaster reported that he had inspected tho gauge in tho Oroua at Feilding, which was not functioning properly. It recorded correctly, however, above 2ft. Gin. The mechanism had apparently been tampered with, while there was some silt accretion. Case For Special Area.

‘‘Wo havo waited on you in connection with the banks of tho Oroua river, which were badly damaged in the recent flood,” said Mr. Eliott in presenting the case for the deputation. ‘‘The waters which came through helped to flood the basin which tho board is trying to protect by tho Hamilton’s bend banking. ‘‘Those represented by tho deputation feel it is not much good being rated —as wo are —in tho special area for the Manawatu work if the same land is to be flooded from the Oroua. The banking of the Oroua is part and parcel of the wholo scheme. Its waters do nearly as much damage. Many of us havo independently spent very large sums on banking the river, but we consider it is the function and the duty of the board to include tho Oroua in the work of the special area. ‘‘The gaps pierced by the recent flood have not yet been repaired and wo think this should be done immediately in case the water comes up again. It subsides from our properties in a few hours, but the people further from tho river channel suffer mo're severely. ’ ’

Would Settlers Assist? What assistance would the settlers give if the board instituted a scheme T inquired the chairman. Ho thought two days’ work with horse and scoop would do all required at Holden’s and Eliott’s.

There was considerably more work entailed, declared Mr. Eliott.

If tho board decided to undertake banking work, would those in the deputation approach settlers lower down tho river for an undertaking to keep the banks clear? queried Mr. Mitchell. Gorse, willows and other growths had so congested the banks on some reaches that the course was reduced to narrower limits than in any other part. Air. Eliott promised every assistance possible.

Mr. Weddell said he would clear banks on the estate, but they were not strong enough to carry heavy bullocks, said Mr. Weddell. Adjoining this property the course of the river was so tortuous that it came through there first. “I was shocked to see how narrow tho river had become lower down because of uncleared growths," said Mr. Mitchell. From there the water backed up on to tho Holden estate and other properties.

What Policy For Future? "If the banks are grazed and kept clear in future, what policy will the board adopt in reference to the Oroua banks?” inquired Mr. Eliott. "That depends on the settlers. If they are prepared to be rated they will most probably get a bank erected,” said tho chairman.

They were already rated in the special area, said Mr. Eliott. They had come in to that oh the understanding that they would get assistance along tho Oroua.

"That rate would not be adequate,” said Mr. Mitchell. "A further levy would be needed,” Mr. Callesen agreed.

A Common Undertaking,

"I admit the two undertakings should be dovetailed,” .said Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Callesen agreed that they should go in unison. Mr. Eliott pointed out that some settlers had done a great deal for themselves and others had done nothing. Some differentiation should be made if possible.

The board could not discriminate in striking a rate, pointed out Mr. Mitchell. If the board undertook anything it would not expect a lot of obstruction; it would want the co-oper-ation of the settlers.

Mr. Eliott returned to tho question of repairing tho banks. Others suffered besides those whose property adjoined the river, and tho cost, ho thought, should be shared, although they wo'uld do all they could.

The board would consider the matter and do the fair thing, said Mr. Mitchell. It was mentioned that ono bad break in tho bank was on a farm just outside the special rating area. ‘ ‘ This illustrates the weakness of having too small an area for special rating,” said Mr. R. J. Law. Mr. Mitchell said there was no serious problem on tho property of Mr. Eliott. A day or two with a horse and scoop would meet tho position. Hoidon’s banks had been badly overgrown and tho river had been reduced almost to a creek.

"It is a question of whether the special area will undertake the respon-

sibility as it did in tho Manawatu,” said Mr. Law.

Unemployed Camp Suggested,

"It is a case of having to,” said the chairman. A bank 00 per cent, efficient could bo put up at moderate cost. We do not need a uniformly high bank as on the Manawatu. Tho locality was an ideal ono for a single unemployed men’s camp and he thought the Puh#?e Works Department should bo asked to assist. Mr. Callesen thought tho department should be asked to draw up a plan of tho area. The banks must not be made any higher than on tho other side of tho river. It was not a competitive banking scheme. Ho thought tho department might be persuaded to put uniform banks on cither side. It was decided to ask the Public Works Department for a comprehensive plan for tho reinstatement, strengthening and straightening of the banks of tho Oroua river. Mr. Lancaster promised support if tho banks were not made any higher on tho other side. The effecting of immediate repairs was left to Messrs Mitchell and Callesen.

In the Path of the Flood. Mr. Lancaster reported that Mr. T. Saunders was up till 1 a.m. sandbagging tho bank of tho Oroua river. The water was running level with the bank, and had there been a wind in either direction the water would have fioffffed over far moro seriously.

The chairman, Mr. A. A. Mitchell, said that in his experience the Oroua waters were about eight inches loner than in 1926. Others considered the recent experience worse than that of 1926.

Mr. Lancaster said tho board had apparently been doing good woik in 'removing a big snag from tho vicinity of the Oroua bridge, and in removing tho willows from the bed of the river during the summer. But for this there would have been a far bigger flood out of the Oroua channel.

Members were of tho opinion that the Oroua was running much swifter than formerly. At the Rangiotu bridge it had scoured a channel 10 feet deeper than when the structure was erected. Earthquake effects were suggested as a possiblo reason for tho apparently

greater depth in the lower part of the Manawatu. New Bank Undamaged. It was reported that the contractor had not lost a spadeful of earth of the new Hamilton’s hend banking, the earthwork being protected by ruins of a further bank.

Nor did he lose an hour’s work. The job should be completed in about three weeks. So far the work had cost £BOO, reported the clork (Mr. E. H. Spencer). Tho final cost would be about £I4OO, of which £2OO would be recovered by the board.