OTAKI RIVER FLOODING

Chronicle (Levin), 11 January 1947, Page 2

OTAKI RIVER FLOODING

DISAPPOINTMENT AT PROGRESS OF EXCAVATION PROJECT The urgent need for the raising of the low. portion of Rangiuru Road was the subj ect of a letter received from the Otaki Borough Council by the Horowhenua County Council at its first meeting of the year held in Levin yesterday. The counciPs letter pointed out that settlers in the area had been marooned by the recent flooding of the Otaki River, and urged . that the county council reconsider the question of raising the road. The chairman, Mr. G. A. Monk, said it had been previously agreed that no action be taken until the results of the excavation work in the Otaki River were known. "I think most of us imagined that a report on the progress of this enterprise would have been available by now," said Mr. Monk. He added that he was not in a position to give an estimate of when relief would be available. If the operations in the river were going to he as successful as the Government anticipated, he saw no reason for the expense of raising the road. He had anticipated that the work on the river would have been well under way by six months, but that was twelve months ago, and judging by present progress it would be another twelve months before any progress was evident. Meanwhile the residents in the area were in a very serious position from flood waters and something would have to be done. The first necessity was an estimate of the cost and this would have to be gone into. Other members of the council expressed similar opinions . Cr. Gimblett said he had received complaints from residents in the locality. He did not consider ttte council was liable for all the blame, but in view of their predicament it 'was only natural that they should look round for someone to blame. After considerable discussion it was agreed that the matter be investigated in conjunction with the Otaki Borough Council, and an estimate of the cost obtained.