NAPIER’S GRAVE DANGER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16459, 18 June 1924, Page 7

NAPIER’S GRAVE DANGER.

The first draft of the Napier Harbor Board Reclamation, Drainage and Loan Act, 1924, was before that body last week, when the reclamation engineer, Mr. George Nelson, explained the objects of the measure. It is proposed to securo powers of a drainage hoard over 10,000 acres, including Papukura, ' Awatoto, Meance, Taradalc, Greunmeadows and Napier. It is intended, in agreement with the River Board, to divert either or both the Tutaekuri and Xgaruroro rivers on a shorter route to the sea to prevent the Hooding of the drainage aiea. « Mr. Nelson reported : “River diversion is the key which will unlock the doorway of progress in this district, and it is earnestly to be hoped that the movement designed to induce the Board to take action will range itself solidly behind the authorities in this matter. The diversion of the rivers will benefit all and injure none. . . . The diversion of the Tutaekuri is really the key to the whole position,” stated Mr. Nelson to members. “The Board is faced with the position that something has to be done to protect the Board’s interests. The river diversion will afford that protection. Napier Borough is in greater danger than what it realises. The bank at, Awatoto. which affords it protection, is three feet higher than George’s drive, and if during a flood that bank was to bleak. Hie water would rush straight through towards Napier.”