POKENO-PAEROA HIGHWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 7

POKENO-PAEROA HIGHWAY.

QUESTION OF FLOOD PREVENTION. ESTIMATED COST £4.'558. • (From Our Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE, this day. The question of flood prevention and road improvements on the PokenoPaeroa main highway at Mangatawbiri. was before the Franklin County Council yesterday. The county engineer, Mr. J. F. MeArthur, said that representatives of the council had met Mangatawhiri Valley settlers and the question was discussed. The settlers, he said, unanimously I agreed to support a loan for the construction of a relief channel from the Mangatawhiri stream in Mr. C. Pope's property to the lake outlet; a deviation and bridge on the same property to connect up the Mangatawhiri Valley road with the Piieroa-Pokeuo main highway; a load deviation at the upper end of the valley through Mrs. Buckingham's and a bridpe over the present stream crossing at Mr. 1». H. McKenzie's. Allowing fen- contingencies and the probable necessity of raising a section of the main highway at the double bridges, the portion which now flooded after light vain, he estimated the cost of the proposed works at £43.">5. Mr. McArtliur stated that it had been ascertained that the Highways Hoard would subsidise a portion of the work on a £1 for £1 basis, and the Public Works Department would prant a similar subsidy tor other portions.

As a temporary measure the Mangatawhiri stream had been cleared of a number of silt banks and other obstructions from the double bridges into Mr. Pope's land, and during the recent flood the work proved beneficial, the water level being lowered quite three feet at the bridge on the lower end of the Valley Road. At several points short lengths of stop banks were being erected to prevent ordinary floods from making the highway impassable.

The member for the riclinjr, Mr. -T. Dean, and the engineer were asked to place the proposal before the ratepayers concerned. In view of the fact tht-t a main highway was affected it was suggested that the Government siii-.shV\ should be increased.