SWAMP LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1920, Page 4

SWAMP LANDS

LA FONTAINE AREA

Mr T. E. Y. Sodden, M.P., is in receipt of the following report from the Minister of Lands relative to the drainage of La Fontaine Greek, Inter-Wanga-nui, as a result of a special report furnished by tbo Chief Laud Drainage Engineer regarding the swamp land : LA FONTAINE CREEK.

A considerable portion of this area has been improved by local drainage carried out by individual settlers, but a great deal remains .to bo done to improve the production of the land. With tlie exception of the work done by Air J. McLean, the drainage carried out by the ? tilers has not resulted in any substanial benefit. Further, the farms cannot he considered as being more than “scratched.” Generally the swamps are shallow and scarcely any “ har-d-pan ” or “ pug ”isto be seen. Good results should be obtained were drainage properly carried out. The La Fontaine Creek is reported as being the key to the position, and th)is requires to bo straightened and widened in certain places. Much relief, however, has been given through the work done by Mr McLean in opening up the stream through his own property from Peterson’s road ,southwards, and the County Council is now engaged upon similar work from the Petersen’s road northwards, and is being assisted by a Government subsidy to the extent of £250 (£ for £).

The work now being done by the County Council will, therefore, proceed as far as the Haddock road, should present finance permit. There stilt remains to improve the northward portion of the stream which is blocked at intervals by timber, upon the removal of which it would be possible for settlers to gain sufficient fall to enable them to drain their lands for ordinary requirements, but would not protect them from floods.

The La Fontaine area is occasionally' flooded by overflows from both the Wanganui and Peerun rivers. It would appear that these overflows take place at points where the Main South toad touched the respective rivers. In ,the case of the Wanganui river, the overflow is northwards in direction,.but in regard to the Poerua it is north-west. Both rivers make their way into the La Fontaine Creek. Strong protective works have been made at the source of overflow in Wanganui, while protective works are in progress at the point of overflow in the Poehnii river.

The La Fontaine a#?n is a fine one and well -worth considerable expenditure in intensively draining it.

It would appeap advisable that drainage of the district lie undertaken by a. Drainage Board formed under the Land Drainage Act, 190 S. It is obvious that such a Board formed, with full responsibility to control the drainage-of the-district, would achieve much better results than .by leaving the drainage to thle efforts of each individual settlers.

At my request, the Chief Land Drainage Engineer had arranged for Air Buekeridge. of his staff, to undertake the preliminary engineering surveys of Mari Hari-La Fontaine swamp area, but as this officer has since resigned from the service and there is, at present, no one available to undertake the work, I would suggest that the Drainage Board, upon being formed, obtain an engineering survey of the swamp area, submit, plans, specifications and estimates of the work to be done.

Upon receipt of these I will then consider whether a. subsidy should be provided bv the Government.

In the meantime, I have approved of an additional sum of £250 (£ .or £) being provided in the Estimates for further expenditure on the La Fontaine stseam.—(Signed) D. H. GutLrie. Minister of Lands. '