The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1946 THE FLOOD PROBLEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 21, 6 September 1946, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1946 THE FLOOD PROBLEM

EXPERIENCE teaches that Whakatane, with its splendid prospects as a potential commercial and residential centre in the Eastern Bay, has one major problem —flooding. If we are to be perfectly honest with ourselves we will not shrink from facing it squarely and seeking for ways and means to prevent the inundations which have become an all too frequent feature of our town over the past two years. Before Whakatane can be recognised as a sound trading and business centre of the future this matter must be overcome permanently. Attempts in the past have proved somewhat abortive. Titivating the outlet drains from Hillcrest is not sufficient if we are seeking permanent rectification. The cure surely lies in the treatment of the watershed of both the Wairere and the Wainui-te-Whara streams both of which are transformed into dangerous torrents after even a mediocre fall of rain. On the Hillcrest plateau where the sea-air meets with the westerly driven storms from inland there will always be a heavy condensation of the cloud moisture content. The conformation of the hills with their steep vallies and mountain streams tell the story plainly enough, while the rainfall comparisons between Edgecumbe and Whakatane show only too well the far heavier falls which are recorded nearer the coast line, in every westerly storm we have experienced. The secret of control has been whispered recently and it is without a doubt —the reafforestation of the twin watersheds on Hillcrest which have been stripped bare of vegetation over comparatively recent years. The Native Land Scheme which has been responsible for so much splendid work above Ohope, has extended its break-ing-in of ti-tree covered country right to the very cliff-edge above the town. Wairere is declared to have become contaminated, and there is a hue and cry from the Maori Pa residents. That perhaps is the least measure of our concern. What is wanted is a wisely conceived and carefully planned planting scheme for quick-growing pines or other trees suited to the climate. Pinus plantations which stretched either side, of the stream bed itself for a defined distance would act as an effective filtre cushion for the heavy downpours, which at the present time flow unrestrictedly down the valleys, causing slips, erosion and floods. The scheme is simple and inexpensive in itself and would not substantially interfere with the activities of the Native Land Scheme. It is the logical and natural method of combatting the threat to our prosperity, which is rapidly assuming the proportions of problem No. 1. Public memory is notoriously short. With the return of fine weather and the approach of summer months, the serious floods which this town has suffered five times during the past two years are apt to be forgotten. It must not be allowed to become a mere bogey; it is a reality which we know only too well, and to our cost. Let the scheme of quickly re-afforestating the hills above Whakatane, find the backing of every thinking and prudent citizen, and in forcing the proposal to the notice of the authorities concerned we will at least have done something towards establishing a recognised safeguard against the periodic flooding we have been experiencing in the past.

OHOPE EXTENSION * THERE is nothing to prevent Ohope Beach, as soon as the building restrictions are lifted from becoming a resort second to none in the North Island. Few others can boast its glorious setting or its safe natural beach stretching for nine miles to the inland harbour of Ohiwa. The problem with Ohope is that within a comparatively short time there will be no vacant sections left and that the demand for accommodation will still be insistent from the growing volume of would-be residents. What is going to be the answer? The Ohope settlement can of course be extended towards Ohiwa, past Bluett’s Creek. That seems to be logical, for at the present time the settlement is forced to the comparatively narrow strip between the cliff edge and the boundary fences of the Native Land Scheme. The time is fast approaching, if it is not here already, for the making over of a considerable strip of the Crown-held land now being farmed under the schepie for fresh subdivision. By this means Ohope would be given a new depth as a settlement, and would not be doomed' to crowd its dwellings along the single Pohutukawa Avenue. The Native Scheme would find the proposition an extremely profitable one for the land which originally cost 1 practically nothing has appreciated in value to an enormous degree. A strip of the immediate foreshore behind the present subdivision, say of even a quarter mile depth, would make a world of difference to Ohope giving it a plan and balance .which are so badly lacking at the present time.