KAITI CREEK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10320, 1 February 1927, Page 3

KAITI CREEK

CONSTRUCTION OF CULVERT. LAND OWNER COMPLAINS. -The Harbor Board’s proposal to construct a concrete culvert to carry the Kopuawhakapata creels under Kaiti Esplanade lornietl toe . subject of a letter from Rees, Bright Waucliop aiid Barker on behalf of i\lrs. Michie, received by the Board yesterday. The letter stated that the owner had always been able to use the creek tidal waters to bring a launch or boat to the frontage of her property, and the culvert would deteriorate the value of her property, in that this access would be lost.- The owner further claimed that the restriction of the water into a culvert would render her property liable to flooding and damage. The Engineer explained that plans for the culvert had been approved' by the Marine Department. When Mr Scott suggested that Mr Armstrong should view the locality, the Engineer protested that it was going to unnecessary trouble.. The quantity of water had been measured up, he said, and the pipes were quite adequate to deal with the maximum flew of water to ire expected. It was the only means of overcoming the trouble. Mr Smith: Is it the best means? The Engineer: It is the cheapest way to do the work. Mr Mil field contended that the culvert would be found to be too small. He had seen the water banked up on properties in flood periods, even on high properties. He admitted the culverting might be the cheapest method, but it .light not be in the long run. Mr Campbell (warmly): Do you know the creek all the way up? Do you know' that the area being dammed is less than the pipe’s capacity? Mr Armstrong said that it was a matter of areas, and the engineer was aware of the pipes required. There w'as a formula for working out the capacity of the pipes, tithe ugh it was not always advisable to take what the figures give, as the lainfall in this district was phenomenal on occasions. Mr Smith pointed out the rertr.ction of water was not of as much concern to the owner as the depreciation of her section by reason of the fact that the construction of the culverts would prevent a boat being taken up to the property. It was decided to refer the rr attc-r to the solicitor. The Marine Department advised that, provided the Board accepted full responsibility for any difii.ulties that might arise with the Maoris or the Borough Council regarding the construction of the proposed outlet from Kopua-whnkapata Creek, the Governor-General had approved oi the plans of the culvert.—The letter was received.