Fair Rate For Maintenance Acceptable

Northern Advocate, 24 January 1939, Page 9

Fair Rate For Maintenance Acceptable

KAITAIA DRAINAGE

The Kaitaia Drainage Committee is prepared to recommend to its members acceptance of reasonable liability for the drainage scheme, which would take the form of future maintenance, to be defined. Notification to this effect was received by the “Northern Advocate” from the secretary of the committee yesterday. . Cost of Maintenance. The cost of maintenance of the work is fairly considerable, as is shown by the annual reports of the Department of Lands and Survey, as follows: Department of Lands and Survey Swamp Drainage, report for year ended 31/3/35: “The year was one of exceptionally heavy rainfall and frequent flooding, but, in spite of abnormal rainfalls, the flood levels recorded in the flat portion of the drainage area did not approach the levels reached in previous years.

“On numerous occasions a large volume of water was passed by the Whangatane Spillway, and this reduced flood levels generally by approximately three feet. Overflow from the Kaitaia River at Johnson’s corner occurred on two occasions, but elsewhere on the Kaitaia flats the river was confined to its channel at these times and throughout the year. “Whangatane Spillway: This channel was running to capacity on several occasions, and some damage was caused to the concrete floor at the intake. Temporary repairs were effected between floods, but some more extensive work will eventually have to be carried out to arrest scour above and below intake.

“Works Expenditure: The total expenditure for the year was £1,279/1/4. Department of Lands and Survey; Swamp Drainage report * for year ended §l/3/37: \Vhang§tane Spillway: The erosion at the spillway intake has not increased very much goring the year, but shortly it will be necessary to erect some protective wprks in this locality. The construction gf a breastwork on the western side of the channel would remove the source of danger, and with this object in view, enquiries are being made as to the amount: of steelsheet piling that can be made available from other works. There is no question that the construction of this overflow channel is the key to the solution of the drainage problem in the district, but it is not large enough to cope with the considerable volume of water that is to be expected periodically. Works Expenditure.—The total expenditure for the year was £1,820.