AVOIDING FLOODS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 12

AVOIDING FLOODS

NEW PLYMOUTH'S CASE

STREAM DIVERSION PLAN

RAILWAY SCHEDULE RESUMED

[BT TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH. Tuesday

It is possible that in order to eliminate part of the flood menace in New Plymouth in future the Mangaotuku Stream, which did most of the damage in the recent flood, will be diverted.

"The matter will probably be discussed at an early date by the Borough Council," said the borough engineer, Mr. C. Clarke, to-day. In anticipation of the council's discussion ho was preparing a report, but had not yet collected sufficient facts to make a; statement.

The diversion of the stream is possible at several points, but at every place the cost will be considerable. At any point it will be necessary to pierce a long tunnel under the highway and to the beach. The point at present most favoured, at Calvert Road, near the Paritutu Bowling Club's green, would mean tunnelling fully 250 yards to the foreshore.

The full schedule of passenger and mixed trains is running throughout Taranaki, the time-table having been resumed following the clearance of the Stratford Main Trunk line sufficiently for the passage of traffic. ,It will be a month before the slips are completely cleared. The' New PlymouthStratford line is not yet fully open for traffic. Passengers are being transported over the gaps. A great part of Karaka Flat, a fertile area, near Waitara, has been rendered useless as the result of the floods which have left it covered feet deep in shingle, sand, and boulders. Two farmers, Messrs. E. S. Allen and A. W. Johnston, are heavy losers in pasture, fencing and stock.