AWAITI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5050, 10 November 1926, Page 1

AWAITI DRAINAGE.

jLTo the Editor.l —ln reference to my previous letter on the above subject, and the meeting which subsequently took placet between the Minister for Public Works and a section of Awaiti settleis, 1. think it is only fair to the settiers in the Awaiti Basin, who were not represented at .that meeting, chat an explanation should be given. We do not cavil about anyone seeking to get efficient drainage, but we do protect Against the policy and methods used by a small coterie of settlers who are trying to improve their drainage to our detrimemt This coterie have convened meetings, held inspections, and for some obvious reason have taken precaution to keep -the settlers in the Awaiti basin in ignorance of their movements,. We believe that a satisfactory solution can be found by the co-operatoin cf the settlers concerned, wheji none none need be penalised, but receive a common benefit. My letter being read to the meeting, it was said that the blocking of the drains had benefited four ‘‘cockies” and penalised the other settlers. We say confidently that the blocking of the drains materially benefited four miles of farming country in the Awaiti basin, and I repeat my statement that the Awaiti road does not, and was not, meant to - drain through the Aw.aiti West drains,; therefore the blocks could nob penalise the settlers concerned. It was also said that for the past eight years the Awaiti basin had been the natural ponding area for the Awaiti road drainage. If this was so it is only ‘ eason Am to con.’.mlc- tha,t at all times,, previous to drainage operations, the watei' naturally flowed from the Awaiti road over the Awaiti water-shed and into the Awaiti basin. Nature has always proved that any such statement is absurd, for immediately the water in the; Awaiti basin finds its level it flows straight towards the Waihou river. It is quite true that the sections of the four “cockies” haye been the ponding ■a,rea for the past eight years—-not the natural ponding area -but caused by the device of man tlUAugh the drainage system. I do not deviate m word 01 statement in my previous letter,, and again evidence has been forthcoming to uphold my confen'ion for i:? less than thirty hours alter the removal of the Pukehu blocks the water on both sides cf the Awaiti vest blocks stood at the same, level, af'-ei two days the> east side had receded appreciably, but the Av, aiti west side had not moved, and to day they again stand at the same level, which shows that the Awaiti basin is srtivna an outlet towards the Waihou rivei. I did not read of any well ceflned scheme or proposal for efficient arainage; being put before the Minn.tei. The matter of widening the drair. and duplicating the flood-gates will certainly not alter, the. drainage te any great extent. I feel that if the present floodgates had beep set parallel to the river they would, with other things, have been quite efficient, if the drain is widened three 'feet, ami then concreted as far as the school property, it would give the water a clear and powerful run, which would enable it to force its way into the river with the least possible, delay. An electric pump will have to be erected to deal with the water when floodgates are closed. If this, scheme were adopted it would be everlasting, the most economic, and the most efficient. R. ADAM.