HAURAKI PLAINS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 August 1924, Page 9

HAURAKI PLAINS.

FLOOD PREVENTION. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Ang. 14. A deputation representing the settlers and local authorities of Hauraki Plains waited on the Minister for Lands to-day with reference to the serious flooding, of the area during the winter. The deputation asked that the main outlets, such as the Piako river, be increased, so as to deal with the enhanced flow of water and to keep the water below the ground level. The suggestion was that the river should be widened on the eastern side, Mr. Campbell, drainage engineer, said that certain works already in hand were intended to ease bends in the river and facilitate the v flow of water, and the strengthening of stopbanks was being undertaken right up from the mouth. Six contracts were let now. Mr. Millar, chairman of the Hauraki Plains County’ Council, said the county could not pay for the work. Mr. Campbell: It is part of our I scheme. Mr. Miller asked for better roads for the settlers. Without metalled roads the county was quite unfit for settlement. The Minister said that his deaprtment was not of the opinion that the responsibility’ for metalling roads lay on the department, and at least a proportion of jnetalling should be done by the county itself. The loading of land was for the construction of roads, not for metalling. Mr. McLeod added that the officers of the department bad supplied a report on the floods, and he would go into the questions raised by the deputation.