GUARDING AGAINST FLOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18395, 10 May 1923, Page 12

GUARDING AGAINST FLOOD.

hauraki plains problem.

PROVISION OF OUTLETS.

["by TELEGRAPH.own co;

MORRINSVILLE, Wednesday.

| During the past week Mr. E. Taylor, I resident lands drainage engineer on the [ Ha'uraki Plains, has been meeting settlers at different centres on the Plains to discuss matters affecting drainage. ' A few days after the recent flood, a committee was formed at Patetonga, and resolutions passed to the effect that they approach Mr. Taylor and discover his views on the recent flood, and his ' intentions in regard to the prevention of the possibility of future flooding. It was also decided to request that two dredges be pat in the Waitakaruru-Maukoro canal: that there should be more outlets; that all outlets should be cleaned twice a year before the. month of May, and that an engineer be appointed to attend to obstructions in local drains. . ■ ,

Mr. Taylor, when he met a large and representative meeting of settlers at Patetonga, stated that he did not know of a drainage system which could dispose of 7|in.... of rain, which fell in 23 hours, as had been the case in the recent flood. Judging from reports there had been districts worse off than the Hauraki Plains.

In answer to a question as to the best means of expediting the ->■ discharge' of surplus flood water, Mr. Taylor maintained that all energy should be concentrated on the river. At present there was a* level sheet of water .at Ngatea, and he did not see that any benefit would be gained by draining it. Perhaps another two years would see the Waitakaruru canal finished. The banks of the canal ; were continually, falling in, so that naturally progress wars very slow. Until the canal was finished he could not guarantee • that there would be no flooding : on- the . plains. . < < Replying to a request that one dredge be spared for Ngarua (near Kaihere), Mr. Taylor said it wars not within his power to grant this. The committee decided > not to let the matter drop, but to approach the chief drainage engineer, Mr. 0. N. Campbell. Regarding outlets, Mr. Taylor said : he could give no definite information.