Makowhai Drainage Problem

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 58, 10 March 1943, Page 6

Makowhai Drainage Problem

ARISES OUT OF DEFENCE WORKS. Settlers living in the Makowhai area which lies between Sanson and the Rangitiliei river claim to be Bufforing from the discharge of surface water and Inadequate drainage facilities to deal with it, in consequence of certain defence works within the district. During the depression period of 193 L the Public \\ orks Department enlarged tiie Makowhai drain, this work being undertaken to relieve unemployment. Since the outbreak ot war certain defence works at Ohakea have created a new problem m that now a very large volume of surface water has been turned into a drain which cannot cope with the flow and it is alleged that many properties are in consequence suffering from flooding. Representations were made last year to the Manawatu County Council who took the question up with the Public Works department without much success in the direction of obtaining any assurance that the trouble would be remedied. Recently in response to further representations on the part of affected settlers the County Council officials visited Wellington to interview the Department and at yesterday's meeting of the County Council the chairman (Cllr. W. E. Barber) reported that the Department was preparing alternative schemes for submission to the Council. One scheme would provide for limited work calculated to provide some measure of relief from the trouble while an alternative scheme would go further but this would require financial assistance from the ratepayers. Cllr. H. J. Fagan said that the settlers were definitely of the opinion that there was an obligation on the part of the Public Works Department to eliminate the trouble which had arisen since the defence works were completed. When the Makowhai drain was completed the area suffered no flooding but since the defence works were finished there had been a marked change. That the water cam© from the defence works was beyond any doubt. Recent rains on the country higher up and above the defenco works had no impression on the creek but below the defence works the creek was i unning three to four feet high. He was satisfied that the settlers affected had all the evidence necessary to demonstrate their case. The chairman said that it was a matter for the settlers to take up but Cllr. Fagan remarked that it should be the concern of the Makowhai Drainage Board and the settlers had no wish to gel out ot court over the question of procedure. The Council agreed to wait until the receipt of the proposed schemes from th** Public Works Department before taking any further action.