FARMS RE-FLOODED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 58, 21 March 1944, Page 5

FARMS RE-FLOODED

DAMAGE IN COUNTY

\VHAKATAXE RIVER RISES Approximately 3000 acres of fdrmi ±u~ — r J.U , town of Whaaktane and Thorn- • ton were subjected to the second' flood within three weeks when the Whiakatane river left its banks and poured through the drain vents) over the low-ly-ing country last Friday. The unfortunate aspect of this new vfeitation was that it covered' many hundred "acres of land which had recently been resown with grass seed. I lie main damage resulted from the abnormal quantity' of Avater which poureel clown the Kopeopeo drain and swiftly Hooded the propel ties at Piripai and Paroa. The. water ( invaded the farms owned by Messrs' Powdrell, Mi.ssen, Foubistcr find Allan Martin, and fanned out. rapidly over the countryside until it 1 cached the rear ol' Edgeeumbe

where Mr Alex McLean's newly sown area was again under a wide sheet cf water. » The flood failed to reach the level attained three weeks ago but nevertheless lias been responsible for considerable loss as the grass which had been spared and was in the process of re-establishment has been definitely eliminated, necessitating a much greater area.which will need , replacing. Fortunately all cattle had been removed from the affected areas and there were no losses in this direction. The fact remains however that the. position has been substantially aggravated and has added to the responsibility of the Flood Damage Committee.

Experience at Edgecumbe Settlers at Edgecumbe put up a successful fight against the Rangitaiki, where the river- threatened to invade, the countryside again from two low-lying points in the stop banks. . The water was lapping over when local farmers assisted by residents of the township organised thenrselves into Avorking parties and quickly built a sandbag rampant which held the. flood waters until the river subsided. A careful watch was maintained on the weak spots with the result that the banks held. It is understood that, similar measures were attempted by settlers along the Whakatane river when the Kopeopeo drain lirst commenced (loding, which were quite abortive in the lace of the swiftly rising Hood. Waters Draining Away An inspection yesterday showed that most of the surface water on the plains had drained away, leaving large isolated pools in various parts of. the district.. parts of the district. Those it is considered will be there for some weeks before drying out. Negotiations are still proceeding per medium of the Member for the District., Mr \Y. Sullivan, for a Government subsidy on a ."jO/TiO basis wherewith to rehabilitate the victims and enable them to recommence production as. quickly as possible and prepare for the next season. An offer of a straight out loan from the Government has? been rejected' on the grounds that such would constitute an ad'ded financial burden which the average farmer would, not be in n pocition to meet at the present time. A 50 per cent grant would on the other hand enable farmers to proceed steadily and build tip in accordance with what finance was available. DanVage at Galatea < As a result of the very heavy rain experienced last week, the Whiri-« naki River was again in flood, and rose as much as. live feet on Friday evening, overflowing its. banks and udding to the damage created in the severe; Jlood.s caused about three weeks ago. By Saturday, however, after the heavy downpour had censed, the river subsided slowly, and last night was practically was running practically at bank level. It is understood that the JJoro- - manga bridge above Te Whaiti at Galatea, has been damaged, but to what extent it is not vet known. As a result ol' the rain, tJac Te Whaiti-Murupara' Road waa blocked on Friday morning, but this wast. cleared at 10 a.m. ani traffic'vras• aisle to get through.