FLOOD WATERS ISOLATE HOUSES

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 195, 20 August 1935, Page 5

FLOOD WATERS ISOLATE HOUSES

And Back Up Sewers

CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE

ACTION

Conditions that were described by members ns pitiful and appalling, were revealed to tho City Council last evening when attention was drawn to tho flooding that had occurred for the third time this year at the northern end of the city following the recent week of heavy rain.

Tho Mayor said he had been called to the affected areas on the northern side of the city during the week-end and it had been pitiful to sec gardens covered with water. People could only get out in places by using cars and one householder was even ready to remove his furniture. It was a disgrace to let such a stato of affairs continue and the residents were losing patience with tho council. This sbrt of thing had happened three times this year and he had been told complaints had been made over tho past ten years. Tho Mayor said others wero having trouble with the sewerage which was coming back over the gardens. Something would have to bo done and done at once. Mr, Mausford said he could see no reason why the Ivawau stream could not be banked so as to stop the flooding. Tho engineer (Mr. Hughes) said the flooding had been caused by rubbish being put ih tho branch Kawau drain and the culvert across the street getting blocked. Wire-netting had been taken out and even portion of an old galvanised iron tank. The Mayor, said he was satisfied the culvert was too small. The engineer said notices had been put up threatening people with prosecution for putting rubbish in the drain and it was time tho council took action m that respect. Cr. W. B. Tennent said he had observed the conditions and ho agreed with the Mayor that the culvert was too small. The water was a foot to 18 inches higher on the top side. Cr. J. J. Stevenson considered the conditions were appalling. Cr. J. Hodgens said the conditions as described by councillors were nothing compared with those he had observed in Matipo street. The people could not use their sewers and if they did, the contents floated out over neighbours’ drives and gardens. Cr. Hodgens put forward a suggestion that the water that fell on the Boundary road side of the Kawau be taken along Boundary road into the Mangaone stream instead of being led into the Kawau. Ho was at a loss to know why the sew r ers were overflowing unless it was because people were leading storm water into them. The engineer said the main output sewer would .have to be examined to discover the cause for the overflow. There was, however, a possibility that the floodwaters at Eongopai street were getting into the sewer via the gully traps and so. taxing the capacity of the Heatherstone street main sewer.

Cr. J. T. Heatley said the real solution was the diverting of the Hawaii direet to the Manawatu river at the northern end of the city as had been proposed. Tho enlarging of the culvert that was said to be too small and backing up tho water, would not solve the problem at all. .The engineer was instructed to bring down a report for banking improvements, the enlargement of the culvert and any other proposals that would help to relieve the situation.

Storm Water at Takaro. Takaro Progressive Association wrote stating that recent rains had flooded the areas in the vicinity of Takaro park and, following a tour of inspection, they asked that in order to prevent a repetition that the water traps be put in order and attended to at regular intervals; that the cattle crossings be eliminated altogether and the banks raised in keeping with the rest. The association also drew attention to tho bridge in Botanical road over the Kawau stream considered unsafe for heavy .traffic.

This matter was referred to the works committee pending the report asked from the engineer.