KAKAKA CREEK FLOODS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XVII, Issue 5652, 3 December 1886, Page 2

KAKAKA CREEK FLOODS.

At tho Borough Council meeting last night the following letter was read from Mr Geo. Denliy:«■" As a matter of farm (ihe facts being well-known to you), I desire again to direct your attention to tho present state of tho Karaka Creek, constructed by your atithoriiy, ami the control of which is vested in you as a public body. I have, as you are awnre, in common with my neighbours, suffered many severe losses in goods, and damage to my property through your continual no«lect to keep that water-course clear of debris, and I ain advised that I cno recover these damages from tho Borough funds, but as that would entail in addition heavy legal costs, and consequently would punish tho 1 geuoral body of ratepayers, ami not yourselves, tho culpable parties, through whoso dereliction of duty all the trouble has arisen, I am disinclined to take this step, and thoroforo give you another warning, feeling convinced that if any members of the Council were personal sufferers, it would have been remedied long since. ' The Borough Council foreman in his works report said: -On tho night of tho 28th ullo we had a heavy downpour of rain, which caused tho creek to again overflow at Pollen street bridge, doing a certain amount of damage to property of residents in tho neighbourhood. He strongly advised the Council during tho slimmer months to raise tho bridge, and widen the stream as lie found that the channel under the bridge was about 2£ feet narrower than other parts of the creek Ho also suggested that tho bridge should be raised by raising tho planking on both- sides, and likewise that clops should be taken to prevent the discharge of mullock into the creek, which had the effect of choking it up.

A deputation of residents in the vicinity of the cree* was'in attendance, and permission was g'ven for them to state thoir case.—Mr Taylor said ho had been a resident of Waller street for the last 14 years ind not until tho Council had interfered with the channel had these difficulties occurred. This was the third or fourth flood from which ho had suffered. Something would have to he done, or it would be impossible for them to continue to livo in the neighbourhood. The Council had bpen cautioned not to interfere with tho creek, and they had done so against their will. Tho channel of the creek was nearly chocked up with mud.—Another person' present said he was a resident of Qncen street, and residents in that part of tho town had been tfearly drowned by the late flood. He had called the attention of the Council to the matter on several occasions, but nothing had been done, The fact was that all their available raonoy was dribbled a<*ny down at Tararu, nnd nothing was left for any other place, The fact was Tararu was too strongly'represented in the Council for any other place to get fair play.—Mr Cox thought the matter could be remedied at a very small cost. The flond-water camo from the back of Mackay street, lie had gone up the creek, and what he snw convinced him that almost every foot of the channel waR chocked with gravel. What he would suggest was that the silt should be cleared out, aud bask up on each side, also that the planking should bo raided so as to bring it up to a lnvel with the bridge. Tho whole thing could be done at a very email cost. He estimated that it would not exceed much over £20.

Cr McAndrew: Would Mr Cox be prepared to undertake the work for £20 ? Mr Cox : I think I would. At all events I would do it for £25.

Mr Grigg gave it as bis opinion that tho creek was much too narrow, at the same lime he fully recognised that it would be far too serious an undertaking for them to think about widening it. What he would suggest was that a culvert should be erected across Walter street. If it did not remedy the evil, bo felt quite satisfied it would be of material assistanco-Cr McAndrew said that while he sympathised with the purpose of the dcputationiets, he must demur to the remark" made about their having neglectcd the interests of the part of tho town in which tho creek was situated ; they had as a matter of fact Bpent thousands of pounds upon this creek, With the funds at their disposal, it was impossible for them to do more than they had done, It would take all the money they could lay their hands on, and even tlion he questioned if the work would be done effectually. He sympathised with the movement, and quite concurred in an opinion that the wholo question should bo referred to tho works committee for their consideration, -After tho matter bad been further discussod, a motion for re« ferring the question to the works committee was put and carriod.