PROBLEM No. 1

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 11, 14 August 1946, Page 5

PROBLEM No. 1

FLOODING IN BOROUGH COUNCIL SEEKS ASSISTANCE The growing problem in the Borough appears to be that of flooding from both the Wairere and Wainui te Whara streams. The matter was listed under half a dozen headings at the meeting of the Borough Council last Monday evening when the Foreman-Engineer (Mr W. S. Henderson) reporting on the downpour of July 18 stated that extra working gangs were occupied from four to five days cleaning up.

The Strand inundation was mentioned by Cr Morpeth who said that had an inch or two more of rain fallen the waters would have been 3 feet over the Strand. The whole problem was becoming increasingly serious.

The engineer reported that as a result of the flood the bed of the concrete box culvert, running under the road had again silted up and would require cleaning. Authority was given fro hire a dredge to lower the bed to bridge floor level (estimated £100). The alternative to increase the size of the culvert was estimated to cost between £2OOO and £3OOO, but this will be considered at a future meeting. By way of facilitating the stormwater clearance from the Strand the Foreman Engineer was also instructed to prepare estimates, for the installation of a 2ft. pipe to the foreshore. The Council decided further to submit the whole of the flood question to the Rivers Control and Soil Conservation Board.

Following a deputation from the Pah residents to the Finance Committee regarding the traditional tribal water supply from the Wairere Falls it was decided without in any way admitting responsibility or liability for the water supply to the Pah that Mr Henderson be asked to check the flow of water from springs and providing samples taken by the Health Inspector are satisfactory that plans and an estimate of cost be prepared to harness the springs and pipe water from such springs to the reticulation service supplying the Pah.