MOUTOA RATEPAYERS WANT SECURITY FROM FLOODS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 March 1946, Page 3

MOUTOA RATEPAYERS WANT SECURITY FROM FLOODS

^ 1 LARGE MEETING EISCXTSSES STOP-BANKING QUESTION A largely attended meeting of ratepayers in tlie Moutoa district was held ' in the Moutoa Hall on Thursday evening, under the chairmauship of Mr. W. L. Carter, for the purpose of discussing the results of a petition presented to the Manawatu-Oroua Iiivcr Board soine months ago, asking for work to be done on the Moutoa stop-banks to give .the security from floods promised , by the board wheu it instituted i'ts systcm of spillways. Present by invitation were Messrs J. Chrystall, chairnian of the ManawatuOroua River Board, R. J. Law and S. Newth, members. , ■ Mr. Carter reported on the deputation which had waited on the river board and : expressed ' dis^atisfaction with the results aohieved. The petition, he said, had be.en fuliy signed. by all the ratepaycrs in the area concerned. Mr. Chrystall and Mr. Newth reported the latest development in tho inattef, resufiing from the decision of the'- river. board at a meeting on Thursday to makc an enginecring survey of the banks. Aftcr further discussion, it was resolved that the meeting of Moutoa ratepayers should again remind the river board of its obligation to honour its agreement to raise the banks from Spring 's to Dr. Wall's to a uniform grade, as compensation • for the spillways in the Moutoa area, and urging upou the board the necessity for immediate action. The Moutoa representative ou the board agreed. to ^further this motion as urgent: Main Drain Eloodgates. A discussion also took place on the subject of the maui outlet floodgates of the Moutoa Jlrainage Board, and ihe dangerous position which was arismg Ihrough the siltiug up of the loop m the river iuto which ihe draitis di^ charged. The silting up, it was su^d, was beiog caused by the Whirqidno Cut. M.cmbers of the drainage feffoard reported on the mcasures being taken by Ihe l'ublic Works Departqpient to prevent further siltiug u^, but doubts were expressed by ihe T-atepayers as lo the cfficacy of thesq steps. - The following utotiou to .be forwarded to the P.\Y:X>. was unanimou3ly carricd: "That this meeting of ratepayers stresses the urgency of the proposed works — the erecting of the banli icross the river between their floodgates and the Whirokino Cut, 'and the planting of inarram grass on the sanddrifts on the river bank, and also expresses aiarm at the dangerous position which has been allowed to arfse there." Support for River Board. Opinions were expressed cpnceniing the impending abolition ofv the river board, fears being vuieed that the catehment board might not be in a position to taho over the full obiigations of the internal board as at March 31. 1947. Arising out of the discussion, a motion was carried supporting the retention ofjthe river board un'til sueh timo as the catehment board had agreed on its method of elhssiflcation. and rating, and was in a position to take over the full functions of the river board. . -