PUMPING DRAIN WATER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5045, 29 October 1926, Page 4

PUMPING DRAIN WATER.

NGATEA PUMP OVERLOADED. OTHERS REQUIRED. Messrs W. G. Hayward, H, F. Louch, C. Schultz, W. Lawrence, and T. C. B. Smith waited on the Horahia Drainage Board at its meeting last week in reference to the utilisation of pumps to assist the gravity drainage ol' land. Mr Hayward said that the pump installed near the Ngatea bridge had been overloaded, as some' settlers had diverted water to that drain, which .ihould, and previously had, been sent to other outlets. It had been understood that flaps would be placed on the culvert at Parry’s corner. The pump was now taking water from thousands of acres.

The chairman said that the flips would be fitted when the new' culvert under the Kopuarahi Road was opened to permit water going down Johns trine’s drain.

Mr Hayward pointed out that pumps were necessary on the Louch-McDuff drain, and also <fn Price’s outlet. During the last flood the floodgates did not operate, and the whole of the water from the Louch-McDuff drain travelled ardund the stopbank to the pump at Ngatea bridge. He pointed out pumps should be installed in the summer, when the water level was low, as it was necessary' to provide suitable gratings to prevent eels and. debris getting into the pipe. It would coist £2OO for each pump, complete with motor and housing. Since a larger pulley had been fitted to the pump at the Ngatea. bridge a 'few days ago its efficiency had greatly increased. It was now working very satisfactorily, adequately proving its worth. A loan should be raised for the two new pumps advocated, and for the pump already installed.

The chairman said that he was satisfied that the Board would, nave to gd into the matter. The problem of financing ha ; d to be tackled. Mr Hale wanted to know if there was any objection to blocking the stopbank drain. Messrs’ Louch, Schultz and Lawrence said that .their lands would 1 be flooded until a pump was installed on the Louch-McDuff drain.

After the deputation had withdrawn member's commented that they thought the stepbank drain had been btdeked. It was understood that the Louch-McDuff drain was to be a high level outlet.

It ,wajs decided to discuss! the matter at the special meeting to-day (Friday).