THAMES COUNTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 21

THAMES COUNTY

FLOOD PROTECTION PROBLEM TAIRUAAVAIHI ROAD [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES, Friday The flooding of farms at Matatoki was the subject of some discussion at the meeting of the Thames County Council yesterday. The chairman, Mr. H. Lowe, iu answer to a question, said that the damage done was so great that lio had telephoned Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., and told him that 1000 acres were under water. Mr. Thorn approached the Minister of Public AVorks, the Hon. It. Semple, who pointed out that £6lp had bt>en authorised for prevention and repair work. The chairman said work had already begun and the dragline had arrived at Matatoki. Mr. Mcßeth said the farmers were not getting any better access to their farms. He thought the stop-bank was not high enough. At every flood the water came over and washed the metal away and inundated the land. . Mr. D. Courtney said that unless something was done immediately settlers would lose heart and be tempted to leavo their farms. He urged that the dragline be sent to the Wainui Stream. It was decided that as soon as the work at Bond's I'oad, Matatoki, was finished the dragline bo used 011 the Wainui work.

A letter was read from the Public Works Department asking; tlie council to agree that the Tairua-Wangamata-Waihi road he declared a main highway, tho department to maintain the road provided the council agreed to give an annual contribution of £7 10s per mile. The chairman said the Minister of Public Works had not replied to the request of the council urging that <1 road be formed through the Kaunernngn Valley to Tairua, so as to give the township better access to Thames, it Mas agreed that the council offer to pay £IOO per annum toward the maintenance of the road.