THE FLOOD AND THE COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 20133, 25 March 1929, Page 7

THE FLOOD AND THE COUNCIL.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir,—Floods, like plagues, are frequent visitors in all communities. Science is, to the best of our abilities, used to prevent plagues, but science and capable civic administration apparently have gone to sleep in this fair city, The City Council and the Harbour Board are jointly responsible for damage caused by the recent flood. Therefore, I consider, as a ratepayer and as a municipal candidate, that they must be bold responsible for all material damage and loss, and in conse- : quence should compensate all liouseI holders, business people, and property owners for such. Money value cannot measure the broken hearts of the residents, but money value can assist in making these people no worse off than they were before the deluge. Something real and tangible must be done for these people. To-night’s meeting in the Albany Street School will be well ad- ■ vised to decide on strong measures. J Surely tin's lesson imposed on us by Nature” will prove that to confine a

river with a half-mile estuary, in earlier days, with a Tin wall in a narrow channel is somewhat in the nature of a practical joke, which the citizens arc called to pay for in hard work and hard cash. Anyone who has eyes to see or ears to hear is soon made a ware of the fact that the wall in course ot erection is the creation of some person or persons who have not given the matter sufficient or sufficiently wise consideration. 1 say; Stop this fooling with people’s lives and property, and build something which will really act as a deterrent against the next flood. Ipointed out in a previous letter that the civic administration of this city was antiquated. I .suggested a forward move was overdue. Events am proving that my calculations were correct. The ward system is needed morn than ever. The formation of local ratepayers’ associations is proof that each district has its own troubles and problems. 'Those associations I hope are the forerunner of new ideals and aspirations for better municipal administration. 'The rating question has left hitler feelings. Unemployment (which can easily ho overcome) is still rile. The* water (sic.) supply is a downright scandal. Our streets are no paragons. Waipori, one of our best investments, is in danger of being sold for a mess of pottage. 1 could go on, hut enough, for the moment. It is to be hoped that on May 1 the citizens will decide in no uncertain manner that the old must give place to the new*, so that progress may come into its own, and these debacles will vanish for ever.— f am, etc., D, Minnock. March 25: TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The recent floocting of the Leith' is a result of the worst bit of engineering that has been dune about Dunedin for some time. I remember when this wall was being built speaking to one of our councillors, the late Mr Small, and he said what a waste ot money it was—that it was too narrow, and not high enough to carry a decent flood and meet the incoming tides, and the river would find an outlet somewhere. Where those last two Hoods commenced In overflow the wall was at the same spot, at the bond above the Leith Bridge that was. I can remember a flood that took place forty-seven years ago after three weeks’ rain. Cattle of all descriptions were carried down. But here is where the trouble arises. Jf the councillors inspect the plans of that date they will see that from Union strec to Albany, io Leith street, on© house stood; from Leith street, Union, to Clyde, one house stood; so that after passing the Union street bridge th» stream had the whole of that space, with the exception of Tanna Hill, to spread its waters out, just where the trouble commences now, and a dear run to Harbour terrace, where the bay used to meet it. Then it had from the Butts to Pdichet flay Station, la it any wonder Castle street and Cumberland street, after fourteen hours’ rain, were flooded. The corporation haa the ground from Castle street to th« harbour on both sides of the canal that is being used as a short cut by pedestrians. It could prevent further disaster by opening both sides of the canal and have three times the outlet right out to the hay.—l am, etc., A.R.G. March 25.