FLOODING OF HAURAKI PLAINS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 August 1924, Page 5

FLOODING OF HAURAKI PLAINS

SETTLERS WAIT ON MINISTER. (United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A deputation representing settlers and local authorities of Hauraki Plains waited on the Minister for Lands to-day with reference to the serious ilooding of a large area, during the winter. The deputation asked that the capacity of the main outlets such as Piako River be increased so as to deal with the enhanced flow of water to keep the water below the ground level. The (Vggestion was that the river should be widened on the eastern side.

Mr Campbell, drainage engineer, said certain works were already in hand ;Fnd were intended to facilitate the How of water. The strengthening of stop bank's was being undertaken right up from the mouth. Six contracts were let now.

Mr Miller, chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, said the county could not pay for the work. Mr Campbell: “It is part of nur. scheme.” Dir Miller asked for better roads ft ithe settlers. Without metalled roads thu country wag quite unfit for settlement. The Minister said his department was not of opinion that responsibility for metalling roads lay on the department. At least a proportion of the metalling should be done by the county itself. Loading of land was for the, construction of roads and not for metalling. Mr McLeod added that officers of the department had supplied a report on tlie floods, and he would go into the questions raised by the deputation.