PIPIROA DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4631, 28 November 1923, Page 1

PIPIROA DRAINAGE.

MORE MONET NEEDED. MINISTER TO BE APPROACHED. A deputation of settlers of the pipi-roa-Waitakaruru road met the Lands Drainage Engineer, Mr E. Taylor, at Dalgety’s corner on Monday afternoon to discuss drainage matters. Mr C. W. Parfitt spoke on behalf of the settlers and stated that the farmers were getting worse and worse off every year. The Apple Tree and the Settlers’ outlets had been blocked, and, consequently, settlers were depending on the roadside drain. This drain required widening, and i# would, perhaps, be advisable to have floodgates erected on the drains running into the gulf. Mr Taylor said the trouble was that there was no money available. The area would be relieved by the new Hopai drain cutting off the water from the back area. The roadside drain would be done as soon as money became available. Mr Dalgety said that the • Hopai drain would not relieve the position at flood time. During the April flood water did not get away for weeks, though the drain at Pipiroa. was empty. Mr Taylor admitted that something had to be done. The work had to be done out of maintenance, and this had been overspent last year, making the position worse for the present year. Mr Dalgety said that if the roadside drain was deepened the trouble would be overcome. Mr Keane said that deepening and widening of drains should not becharged to the maintenance account. Mr Taylor stated that deepening was maintenance, but widening was not. The trouble was that there was no other source from Which he could get funds. In reference to the Ma.ukoro canal, Mr Taylor said that an effort was being made to get the depth down far enough to drain the land from the Pourya road into the canal. It remained to be seen if this could be done before next winter. Eventually the water from about half way between the Pourua and the NgateaWaitakaruru roads would go to the canal, and the water from the east side would go through the new Hopai and the Rawerawe drains. Mr Clarke said that- if the drains to the foreshore were open there would be no trouble, but a better proposition would be the roadside drain. Mr Taylor said that it was obvious that fall had been lost in the roadside, drain. It required attention. Mr Dalgety stated that there were six lift drains emptying into two Bft drains on the same level. The drains were wider at the top than at the bottom. Mr Taylor said that he would have levels taken and see what could be done. He could not promise anything this year, as the rates had been expended. He had applied for more money, but had been told that the rate must not be increased. In reply to Mr Keith Mr Taylor said that the rates were not necessarily spent in the area in which they were collected. They might be spent anywhere in the area. Mr Parfitt suggested that M ! r Taylor have the levels taken. As the Department did not have the money the Minister should, perhaps, be approached for a grant. Mr Taylor said that the levels would be taken. If the country would stand, the drains in the back area would be taken down to an lift level, thereby relieving the roadside drain. It might not be possible to have this done before next winter. When the levels were taken, and it was known what was required, he would see if any money was availableIt might then be possible to- do a little work. It would cost, roughly, £lOOO to do both the.,, road drains tho i- oughly. He had intended having these drains done this summer, but owing to the extra maintenance required this year there would be no money available. Tn view of the approaching visit of the Minister of Lands it was decided that he be approached for a grant for the work.