FLOODED FARMS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1933, Page 16

FLOODED FARMS

DRAINAGE DIFFICULTIES. AREA IN HAWKE’S BAY. Napier, June 18. The Meeanee district, which suffered’ severely as the result of floods on May 28 and several succeeding days, is still inundated by water, and the holders of farms are facing great difficulties. The fact that the water is still lying in the area is due to the earthquake and the consequent alteration in levels, which, has affected the existing drainage facilities so as to make them practically useless. Since the floods new. drains have beep opened up, but, in spite of the fact that one of these has been open for three days and a steady flow of water has been passing from the inundated area, the level at Meeanee has dropped only very slightly. It is estimated it may be three months before the area affected is drained. ; Estimates which have been made in regard to the flooded country indicate that there are about 800,000,000 gallons of water covering 1500 acres. Measurements taken over a period of five days showed that a drop of lin. had taken place, but further drains are to be opened. It is pointed out, however, that when the water drops to a certain level the rate of’ flow down the drains will decrease and pumping will be necessary to drain the low-lying basins. One of the chief difficulties will be to . convey this water to the pump, and it is probable that the drains leading toward Meeanee will have to be deepened and perhaps extended. The distribution of feed for dairy cattle belonging to settlers in- the affected district has been commenced. The Cabinet has made available the sum of £250 to be spent in the purchase of fodder, but the whole of this amount has not yet been expended.