Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1912. FLOOD PREVENTION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12705, 7 March 1912, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1912. FLOOD PREVENTION.

The matter of flood prevention,- we are thankful to say, still. remains a live sub-ject,-and whilst there nia'y be some difference of opinion between the various people who ha\>.e interested 1 themselves m the matter as' to what is the best course to pursue, there is. still basis for a common agreement and for concerted action. Ail are agreed that it is necessary to secure the services of a good engineer of sound judgment and wide experience to report upon, the problem of controlling the flood water's of the Waipaoa river, but the point m dispute appears to be whether such engagement of an engineer should be precedent to or should follow as the (first act of the administrative body that will be constituted when a river district is gazetted. The fear of Mr John Clark and others vitally concerned appears to be that, once a River Board is set up with rating powers it may, m excess of zeal and without adequate engineering advice, p*cbceed at olice to make cuts" through their properties that may or may not have very farreaching and expensive _onsequjsiices. Against that suggestion', it may be argued that it rests with the settlers themselves to select the most competent Board it is possible to obtain, and thai if due care is taken in' securing men 'of standing who would not be liable to lend themselves to, precipitate action there need be little fear" of a -misfcaJke being made. Mr Tomble'son", iti i lefeßer published m .another . column, offer.- a valuable, suggestion tha!>. will .probably . meet with acceptance* from both" sides of the argument, and the .adoption of which should at the sanie time, result m a very considerable saving bf time. It is*- that by acceptance of tlie Offer thrown out by Mr Clark ' toiui-nish fi^towaTd's'; tfye* expense of. an.' engineer's" report', and by private subscription froni' others interested a . Sufficient sum could' be raised to secure the services of a first-class engineer and this could be done and the report be m process. of compilation whilst all the formalities of constitution of the river district* and the Board are m progress. The suggestion is one that must appeal to the minds of most people* .who have been anxious to see the river .problem settled without unnecessary delay, and we believe\ there are many amongst us who have' the interests of the district sufficiently at heart to prompt them to give generous donations towards the obtainmeirfc of the best riossible advice. Such advice may .not fee .obtai'iiaDlo "m its entirety within one year or two years, for as Mr Armstrong pointed out m his report of two years ago it niay be necessary to make a close and detailed observation of the river extending 1 over some considerable period. At any rate, any work that *i_ proposed will have to . be "well thought and carefully planned, to guard against -.any possibility of the remedy adding to the extent of the-ail-ment. The sooner, therefore, that those interested , cprhe :. together,; decide upon, ancV proceed', with the engagement of p.ri engineer th© sooner will we see the district m. a' fair Way to being safeguarded against the existing danger -iof disastrous floods^. We -feel sure tlmfcXMr' "Clark' and those with hiih are equally anxiorls with Mr Nelson and other.^ who Jhrfve biien urging the prosecution.; 'bt jßo6d-preyen r tion works to have something* done that will* preserve their oWn? properties, aiid the district against '^the ravages' 'of floods. As Mr Clark^ pointed' out m hisletter of Sa^rday last, if the ihat^er is left to individ.ual action jwid- people proceed, to put up stop-bankis- the . question would'resolve itself in.to' this : _ha,t whichl ever side could build the biggest banks would have the better of it, and - the water 'Will be thrown pn to the lands, of their less fortunate neighbors, It appears toils that the time is now ripe for a meeting to be held by those keenly interested, to decide jipon'. Sibrrie de^nite course of action on j^e lines, suggested, and to make enquiries- as /to- what engirteerin'g advice 'is avai^abl'ej. T"h'e inforrhatiorj that would be.,gaihed',^ourd be very viseful to the River Board When. it-*.is set up and Avould probably form tlie basis for action that would be approved .by the whole community.

Yesterday afternoon Gladstone road was m a muddy state ; to-day, at times, jone couldihardly see across the street for dust. The water-carts ..were brought into requisition this afternoon To-morrow morning,, commencing-- at 11 o'clock, Messrs'. Miller arid Craig' : subriiit to auction, on- belialf- of Misev \ 'Nielson' the wftble -of the si;bck-in-trade, y plant, fittings, 7etc v , atelier ypreniißes-,* Peel" -street), opposite British* E*mpii--e hotel. A ••."-: . . Section ,. 15, j block , 5^- Te Arai settlement, 15 acres, will, be open for selection on . renewable lease on April s 11? Section •5, Otoko village settlement, 1 acre, .will be sold by public auction' on April: 15. * .