BLACK SWAMP DRAINAGE

Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 10

BLACK SWAMP DRAINAGE

REPORT ON MINOR SCHEME FRESH PROPOSAL FOR RATEPAYERS A report on a minor scheme for the drainage of Black Swamp was submitted at the meeting of the Southland County Council yesterday by the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) who stated that the following proposed work would not give as good a result as the proposed major scheme to which objection had been made. “The minor scheme would be begun about half a mile below the DiptonBalfour road,” stated the report. “No subsidiary drains were included in the proposal the approximate cost of which would be:—

120,000 cubic yards of excavation 6000 Alteration to bridges 200 Willow clearing 100 Classification costs 150 Engineering and supervision 360 Contingencies 190 TOTAL 7000 “It may be assumed that a subsidy would be payable on a smaller scheme, but care should be taken that the property owners outside the area be debarred from obtaining the extra fall,” continued the report. “It would not be fair to the ratepayers financing the smaller scheme to permit other ratepayers not contributing to obtain even an indirect benefit. MAJOR SCHEME PREFERRED “In my opinion the major scheme as originally designed is the right one for the district, but if the ratepayers in the central area are sufficiently interested to finance half of the total cost then they should be assisted,” added the engineer. “I recommend that the ratepayers concerned should be asked to deposit £lO each as a guarantee of good faith to cover the costs of the preparation of the proposals and classification. If the majority of the ratepayers concerned are not prepared to pay this deposit the scheme should be dropped entirely.” It was decided to refer the proposal to the member for the riding and the engineer for further report. NEW PARAWA-NOKOMAI ROAD

Approval was given to a suggestion in a report by the engineer that the council offer to pay the costs of the survey of a proposed new road from Parawa to Nokomai, and that the Mines Department or the Public Works Department be asked to bear the total costs of construction.

Reporting on a visit of inspection of the old road the engineer stated that the road which generally traversed the east side of the Nokomai river for its length, approximately one mile, had now been seriously damaged and eroded during recent floods in the Nokomai stream. The continual deposit of old tailings and shingle by the Nokomai stream had caused the bed to rise considerably, and it would not be possible to control the stream without very expensive protective work throughout most of the length. Those who inspected the road agreed that a new road on a higher level was imperative for access to both the Nokomai Station and the gold-mining claims. The proposition did not find favour with the Nokomai Station holders, who asked that the old road be reinstated and the river protected. “In view of the large sums of money that have been expended on the Parawa-Nokomai road in the past, it is not considered that very great county expenditure is justified, and it is also considered that, as the damage has largely been due to the operations of gold-mining companies, the Mines Department should contribute the major portion of any proposed expenditure,” sail Mr Milward. “To define a line of action, it is recommended that a proposed route for a new road be pegged off and decided on, and that the Nokomai Station holders be invited to agree to the route. Assuming that there are no obstacles in the way of legalizing the new road, then an estimate should be made of the total cost of constructing same, and an application made to the Mines Department stating the position, as outlined.” Reporting on the Kapuka South road the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) stated that a ditch on the east side of the road was to be deepened and enlarged as it would ultimately do away with the necessity for a small bridge on the road.

The council agreed to letting a contract for the work to A. Robinson, Kapuka. An application by M. Flannery, Kamahi, for repairs to a road at Kamahi was granted. The council agreed to contribute £B5 from riding funds towards the construction of a bridge to give access to the farm of Mr J. A. Mcßae, of Hedgehope.