MENACE FROM SAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 13

MENACE FROM SAND.

FLOODING OF FARMS.

KAIPARA RIVER AREAS.

DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL.

Tlio continual flooding of tho Kaipara Rivnr between Waimauku anrl Helonsville owing to the pouring into tlio upper reaches of sand from tho dunes along tho western coast has been a matter of grave concern to settlers, and fears are cntortained that low-lying rivor land, which is now farmed, will revert to swamp. Tho sotting up of a sand-drift area was urged upon the Waitemata County Council yesterday by a deputation of Woodhill settlers. .

The leader, Mr. T. Loughman, said small streams which commenced at tho foot of the sandhills and flowed into tho Kaipara River conveyed hundreds of tons of sand in suspension. Formerly this sand was kept back by vegetation along the streams, but theso had boon drained, with tho result that tho sand flowed straight into tho river. Somo settlors had fenced off small areas as filter beds along the streams, and tho water spread over tho ground, dropping tho sand. Mr. H. Day said the problem wa» a very serious one and tho sand would choko tho upper reaches if it were not halted. Ho considered all drains to the rivor should have filter-beds.

Another member of tho deputation, Mr. A. Trousdale, said it was desired that tho council should take over the area through which tho streams flowed and proclaim it as a sand-drift area. Power to do this was given under the Sanddrift Act, 1908. Steps could then bo taken to have suitablo filter-beds constructed. On the properly of llobson Farm, Ltd., 40 acres of land had beon enclosed in stopping tho sand from escaping to the river. Rates and taxes were being paid on this land, with tho result that tho whole cost was being borne by a handful of settlers. "We are becoming tired of this, and one of these days we are going to cut tho beds away," said Mr. Trousdale. "If we do this great damage will result, and tho council will have to foot tho bill."

"Before long the flooding is going to ruin the best land in tho Waitornata County," said Mr. J. Diprose. "Settlers' farms will become duck-ponds. Something has to be done and done quickly." The chairman, Mr. L. E. Kerr-Taylor, said the bulk of tho trouble appeared to be the sand. He questioned whether tho council would not be taking away all tho duties of tho Kaipara RiCer Board in set-ting up the aroa suggested. Following the withdrawal of tho deputation, Mr. S. Phillips said in view of the operations of the Forestry Department it would be unwise to proclaim a drift area. Tho department was investigating the question of extensive planting on tho sand dunes,,along tho coast. This would hav« the effect of preventing tho sand from further encroachment and would consolidate An expert had recently gone over tho sand country, and it had been stated this could bo brought info production for sheepfnrming. With one or'two exceptions settlers had agreed to hand over the sand area to tho department. It was decided to obtain a report on the proposals of tho department.