HIGHWAY RAISING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 21, 25 February 1942, Page 5

HIGHWAY RAISING

WHAKATANE STATION HIGHWAY

FLOOD DANGER

For some time the County Council has been discussing with the Highways Council the need for the raising of the Whakatane Station Highway. The negotiations resulted from a request from a settler, but at last meeting the scheme Avas considered too expensive. At yesterday's meeting a letter was received from Mr W. B. Souter thanking the council tor its letter of the 28th January, which contained a copy of the Land Drainage Department's letter. The somewhat ambitious scheme discussed had not, so far as the writer was aware, been advocated by any of the settlers concerned. Such a ' scheme, if carried. out successfully, would keep the land in question free of floods, when cn the levels quoted, the rest of the Rangitaiki Plains would be an inland sea. All that w r as being asked was for the two low places on the road to. be raised to conform with the general existing road level, at an estimated cost of £300 or £400. Such two points were the weak spots in the whole length of Highway, and should a flood occur to-morrow, probably half of that sum would be spent in restoring the road to its present condition. Mr Souter said he would be glad to learn in due course that the council was supporting the settlers in their endeavours to have this matter treated as urgent. It was recommended that application be referred, with the council's support, to the District Highways Council.