BETTER DRAINAGE NEEDED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 38, 1 March 1937, Page 7

BETTER DRAINAGE NEEDED

Survey to be Made in Awanui Stream Area MINISTER T0 BE MET The problem of improving the drainage of the eountry drained by the Awanui stream is to be taken up by the Hawke's Bay Rivers Board. To-day the board deeided to arrange with the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, during his coming visit to Hawke's Bay, to inspect the stream and cneet the settlers concerned. It was further deeided that a necessary survey should be carried out immediately. The matter came before the board by a request from Mr. J. Lyons that the Awanui stream be given attention. Mr. W. H. Campbell said that the board would have to do something. Of late the flooding problem had been made much more serious. This position was due to the large catchment areas in the watershed having been eliminated as the result of draining schemes. This resulted in the water getting down to Pakipaki in less than twelve hours, with the result that the Awanui stream was quite incapable of carrying the water. Last season some hundreds of acres at Turamoe, Te Mahanga and Pukahu were under water. Rain overnight now created a serious position for the settlers. Mr. R. E. Talbot pointed out that the board last year was very fortunate when a very heavy rain fell in the Awanui watershed. At St. George's road he noticed that the water was flowing in the right direction, but if the Ngaruroro river had been in flood at ihe time, it was not difficult to realise what would have happened and the serious position that would have been created. The Pukahu settlers were oxpecting to receive some assistance from the Lands Department. The draining of Poukawa Lake had been the means of bringing the water much more quickly on to them. Up to now they had been very patient, but they were fully determined to press for some relief. "Would it be costly work?" asked Mr. W. G. Jarvis. Mr. Campbell: The work could not be done out of revenue. The chairman, Mr. C. Lassen, saies that the Minister of Public Works was expeeted shortly in the district, when he would spend three days on county matters. He suggested that the Minister should be asked if it would not be possible for the board and settlers to meet him and for him to make an inspection of the whole area. Mr. Talbot said that it was necessary that there should be a better outlet for the old Ngaruroro before much could be done to the Awanui stream. The chairman said it was necessary to get the Awanui to the old Ngaruroro in order to improve the position for settlers in the Pukahu and other districts. Mr. Talbot: That will add to the difficulty for those on the old Ngaruroro. Mr. Campbell: The engineer should be asked to give the board a report. The position is serious. The settlers are not calling out without a grievance. They certainly have been very patient. The chairman: It will be necessary to get a survey of levels up the Awanui stream before anything can be done. Mr. Campbell: Well, that has got to be done sooner or later. On the motion of Mr. Talbot, seconded by Mr. Jarvis, it was deeided that the survey should be put in hand im1 mediately. It was further deeided to reply to Mr. Lyons informing him of the action that the board was taking.