The Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1941. The Flood

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 107, 7 May 1941, Page 4

The Times WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1941. The Flood

The flood that came down the Manawatu River last Sunday and Monday was the greatest since the “Old Man” visitation of June, 1902. But for certain fortunate conditions it would have been disastrous. And notwithstanding these conditions great damage has been done-to homes, farm lands, production prospects and to embankments and other works. In contrast to most floods of big calibre this one has been most severe above Palmerston North and in the city itself, le Matai and other areas towards Ashhurst suffered especially and the city’s lower lands have had the worst visitation in damage done that has ever befallen them. That the broad, alluvial plains from Palmerston North to the river’s mouth did not similarly suffer was due to the fortunate timing of the flood. Before it arrived here the local streums’ quite modest floods had slackened, and further, the Oroua River did not come down with the weight of waters it has at times in the past provided. Another aid to the lower country was the absence of any westerly winds. These often have held back flood waters from speedy exit to the sea. And yet again, whilst speaking of good fortune, two other points may be mentioned. Grazing for evacuated stock is in ample supply, both along roadsides and on farms, there having been such a wonderful autumn growth. Finally, this is a good season for flood as cows are about drying off and ewes have not started to lamb; cold water does not destroy grass as the warm waters of ail earlier flood would have done and there lies ahead almost a month’s growing season yet before winter sets down in earnest. Of the complete flood' basin of 72,000 acres in the lower Manawatu-Oroua area, a large acreage remains flood-free. That this is so is a great tribute to the efficiency of the various drainage boards’ banking works. Without these flood damage would have been doubled, even though some of the banks were topped or breached. At the same time that the good fortune is appreciated, let sympathy be found for the many who have suffered. Aggregate losses will run to many thousands in terms of money together with great loss of comfort and convenience. To aid sufferers is the duty of the whole community—a duty readily responded to at the height of the emergency by the Home Guard, as well as by private citizens, and, as always, by our police force. A tribute, too, should be paid to the untiring efforts of the Mayor and the city’s administrative staff. Finally, from this, the biggest flood of more than a generation, valuable lessons may be learned and data secured. It is one worthy of study by engineers and local body representatives in their respective spheres.

Waste Not, Want Not

A very fine old proverb, current for centuries in the Homeland, runs “Waste Not, Want Not.” Though this be almost universally applied by the individual citizen, it is an unfortunate fact that the precept is not similarly practised by public bodies, and in particular does the State frequently fail. At one of the entrances to this city, on the Foxton Line, is a case in point. Along each edge of the bitumen roadway a strip has been reserved as a cycle track marked off by a white painted line. Now’'for the third time in just 18 months, it is reported, three men have been engaged in hand-painting this marking line. The job lasts for weeks judging by past experiences, proceeding with extreme slowness. This is a sad waste of labour power, the more so in such times as these. The idea of a cyclists’ reserve does appeal although cyclists unfortunately are very inclined to ignore it. But the line need not be continuous, a white mark of three or four inches square at three or even six feet intervals would suffice. Furthermore, this surely could be mechanically applied. It is high time the Highways Board or Public Works Department, whichever is responsible, woke up to the precept of “Waste Not, Want Not.”