DRAINAGE OPERATIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5031, 24 September 1926, Page 2

DRAINAGE OPERATIONS.

AWAITI AND KOMATA AREAS.

INSPECTION BY MR SAMUEL.

During the visit of Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., to Paeroa during the week he has spent a busy time looking into! various matters. On Tuesday an inspection of the Public Works Department’s drainage operations in the Komata, area was made. Several matters in connection with the work were brought before the member by the Settlers concerned. These were noted and an assurance given that the requests would be looked into.

On Wednesday Mr Samuel met the settlers; in the Awaiti area, and a tour of the country within the radius of the drainage operations was made. After viewing the large canal near where the dredge is working it was pointed out to the member where, in the opinion of the settlers, the drainage work was unsatisfactory. From the inspection of the are.a it appears that the settlers, until recently had dra,inage through the Awaiti Block into the Awaiti Canal bn one side, and on the other side subsidiary drains carried the water into the Nethertdn main drain. The chief grievance, appears to be that the drains leading into the Awaiti drajn have been blocked, mainly by the Elstow Drainage Board, leaving an opening for the escape, of water on one side of the block only. In addition to the farm lands, there is a large area of flax country that will be affected by flooding As a result. The settlers concerned stated that in the event of the blocking of the Awaiti drain being continued, a flood would cause them considerable losls and hardship, and an urgent request was made to the member to have the drain kept open. Mr Samuel undertook to endeavour to arrange a conference at an early date between the departmefital officers and the settlers, with a view to arriving at a satisfactory solution.