IMPROVED DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4988, 16 June 1926, Page 2

IMPROVED DRAINAGE.

EFFECT ON THE PLAINS.

ABSENCE OF FLOODING. Although the amount of rain that has fallen on the Hauraki Plajfas during the present year is a,bout the average for similar periods of the last few years, there has not been apy sign ot flooding, and the amount of surface water has been negligible. Undoubtedly the dryness of the past summer has been a, contributing factor, but an aspect that has somewhat escaped due consideration is the amount of improvement that has beefi effected in the drainage schemes and in the Piako River.

In the lower reaches of the river floods have never exceeded high spring tide mark by very much, and the da,mage has been caused by the internal drains being unable to discharge the storm-water owing to the length of time the river was high, or to the failure of stop-banks. On occasions during the present winter the drains have been bankhigh on very wet days, but owing to the improvements that have been effected in the outlets and in .the river the wafer has not been da,mined up for any length of time, and the danger of an inundation has therefore escaped notice. Both drainage boards and the Lands Department have had the drafts under their care well cleaned this season, a,nd the drains are functioning well. The. new work of the Horahia Board has been much commended by the settlers affected, and while no one has thought of publicly commending the Lands Drainage Department for its work, the absence of the numerous complaints that have been heard in previous winters is a testimony of no mean nature.