FLOODED FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21521, 19 June 1933, Page 10

FLOODED FARMS

DRAINAGE DIFFICULTIES

AREA IN HAWKE'S BAY

WATER LEVEL STILL HIGH

[nv TEi.F.cn.vrn —own correspondent] NAPIER, Sunday

The Meeaneo district, which suffered severely as the result of floods on May 28 and several succeeding days, is still inundated by water, and the holders of farms aro facing great difficulties. Tho fact that tho water is still lying in the area is duo to the earthquake and the consequent alteration in levels, which has affected the existing drainage facilities so as to make them practically useless. Since tho floods new drains have been opened up, but, in spite of the fact that one of these has boon open for three days and a steady flow of water has been passing from the inundated area, the level at Meeaneo has dropped only very slightly, li is estimated it may be three months before the area affected is drained. Estimates which have been made in regard to the flooded country indicate that there aro about 800,000,000 gal-

lons of water covering 1500 acres. Measurements taken over a period of five days showed that a drop of lin. had taken place, but further drains are to be opened. It is pointed out, however, that when the water drops to a certain level the rate of How down the drains will decrease and pumping will be necessary to drain the low-lying basins. One of tho chief difficulties will be to convey this water to the pump, and it is probable that the drains leading toward Meeaneo will have to be deepened and perhaps extended. Tho distribution of feed for dairy cattle belonging to settlers in the affected district has heen commenced. The Cabinet has made available the sum of £250 to bo spent in the purchase of fodder, but the whole of this amount has not yet been expended.