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Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1927, Page 2

At the Borough Council meeting last week tho subject of preventing tli flooding of the upper portion of the town was brought up once more. This is a recurring invasion, and the wonder is it has not boon remedied ore this. The Council, of course, has tried, and extra drains have been put in,, but the position is no better—rather worse. Tt is a moot point whether the drains are not inadequate in size to carry off the volume of water which has to he drained from a considerable area. What may he done now to further assist with extra drainage is a matter of funds. Before undertaking any further large expenditure, the Council has resolved to try less expensive methods by drawing more water to some of the drains, and so relieving the drain where the chief overflow occurs. Something practical along these lines should afford a measure of relief, and by doing all that can l>e done in that direction the position might be cured, and at no great cost. There are matters which have to he dealt with according to circumstances. The conditions are not always the same, hut by watching developments, and meeting the position as it arises in each successive flooding, a cure should he effected. The inconvenience to the householders and the depreciation of their properties can well he understood, and it is for the Council, having grappled with the extension of certain drains in the effort to relieve the general situation, to continue the work to final accomplishment. The matter, therefore, seem 9 to be one for close attention and observation, find whereon a weak-

ness is shown to remedy the position , at once. Tho drainage facilities are certainly greater now than ever they were, and it should be a matter of seeing all the drains utilised to their capacity on occasions of heavy flooding. If that is not tho success it is hoped it will be, then additional and larger drains must he provided. The obligation is on tho Council, certainly to remedy the matter, and for that reason the work shornl be faced without delay and with the determination to make a success of the task which has fallen to the Council’s lot.