THE TAIERI AND THE FLOODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18054, 30 September 1920, Page 2

THE TAIERI AND THE FLOODS.

TO THB EDITOE. Siß—The Taieri River en tore c tke plain of that name by a gorge at Chitram, whence it flows across the plain to Allanton, then southwards to Otokia, from which point it follows the line, of the hills with one ox two slight deviations _ until, joining the waters from the Waipori River and lake and from Lake Waihola at Taieri Ferry, it makes its way through a series of gorges out to the sea at Taieri Mouth. The Taieri River divides the Taieri Plain into two uneven halves, one known as the .East and the other as the West, the latter having a much larger area, of low-lying ground, some of it being little, if any, above sea level. In time past when the river was flooded it spread quietly over the whole plain and as quietly drained off agam. In process of time West Taieri decided to form a high embankment on that Blde , the "TOT right from Outram to beyond Henley, which was done, to the discomiiture and discomfort of the good people on the east side. _ This was many years ago but since that time all the flood water lias been backed on to the East Taieri. The embankment follows the line of tho river pretty closely, with the result that just beyond Otokia the water has all to pass through a narrow channel about a mile long. Naturally this means that Otokia is made the centre of a rushing sea of water, while the main south road is flooded deep in many places, which previously were untouched, and the whole of the East Taieri becomes one vast stretch of water. Then after the mischief (so far as the £ast Taieri is concerned) is done, it most frequently happens that the pressure of water is too great and overflows the embankment, which gives way m a number o£ places, and the water rushes through with great force anci continues until it finds its own levol once more. It is now seen by the West laien that it has not given the flood water room enough, and the proposal is made to remove the embankment back to the railway lino eoath of Otokia bridge. Also to mate t . also that it is only fair that the Bast Taieri should bo rated to help wm B °<r? what an advantage it will be to it m that the water, having more way, will not rise so high and wfll flow Ou. more qinckh. l s there not a tacit admission vr I?? 0 ? • tlrrn done to the east of - the ™ flr^ instance? Doubtless m a small flood the erctra waterway will make some difference in eas . t „«; H is acknowledged that there will be more current and I" a -„ big flood the height of the bank will mean a corresponding increase m tire depth of water over the and fl,a t places will bo flooded which never were flooded before If it is anticipated that the increased waterway will carry the flood water at a reduced level why raise tlio height of (he embankment? In a small flood it oould do no good: in a large one would it not be a source of danger to those trusting to its protection? And who has guaranteed what volume of water' is going to come down in the future? The floods of 1844 and 1868 are past history but who can affirm that they win not & repeated, and why work from the levels of ksser floods when greater have been ana will be? Re cutting out the willows, this would require not to bo done thoughtlessly, for in places they were planted as the only means of stopping the river encroaching as at the river bank road at Henley, the main road near Otokia, and a number of other plaoeg.—l am, etc., Canute.