AWAITI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5052, 15 November 1926, Page 2

AWAITI DRAINAGE.

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.

SETTLERS MEET OFFICIALS.

A conference between the settlers of the Awaiti district and officers of the Lands Drainage and Public Works Departments was held in the Netherton Hall dn Friday last to discuss matters in connection with drainage and flood protection. There were present: J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary, Department of Lands ; O. N. Campbell, Chief Drainage Engineer; E. Taylor, local drainage engineer; L. B. Campbell, district engineer, Public Works Department; O. G. Thornton, resident Public Wofiks engineer; A. M. Sajmuel, M.P. for. Ohinemuri; W. J. Andrews, M. A'. Carter, and M. H. Wynyard (chairman) nad members, and W. R Johnson (engineer) of the Elstow Drainage Board.

To get a grip of the situation it is necessary to understand that the land is generally flat, so that water can be. made to flow in any direction, and that when the Waihou is in flood the tendency is for it to How to the Awaiti, and when the Awaiti basin is flooded, the water flows to the Waihou as well as down the Awaiti stream to the Piako. The Public Works Department controls about 6000 acres the Waihou River frontage, under the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Scheme, and about 6000 acres roughly, west of the Awaiti Read is administered by the Elstow Drainage Board. A block of 1900 acres, lying between, is controlled by the Lands Department. The Public Works. Department’s area has no complete drainage syetem and no provision for maintenance, while the Elstow Drainage Board is in rhe process of developing a drainage scheme for its area.”

Mr T. Considine presided over an attendance of about 50 settlers. The chainman extended a welcome to Mr Thompson and other offiicals to Netherton, and expressed the hope that the conference would prove effective, and that good would come of it. Thanks were due to Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., for arranging the conference and helping the farmers. Mr Samuel, in reply, thanked the settlers, and outlined the proceedings that led up to the conference. He was there to represent .the whole Of the settlers and not any pariculaj* section. Touching on the question of blocks in the drains he. said .that the blocks d(d not protect tha land of settlers adequately on all sides. It was to try and overcome such difficulties that the conference had been arranged between the settlers and the Government officials who were professional experts. The speaker said that the Netherton-Awaiti district was undoubtedly the garden of the Hauraki Plains, but it was desirable that such good land should be adequately protected. The settlers wanted to get fair play, and justice for everyone. It was only reasonable to expect the Government to protect the settlers from serious floodings. It was Only right that the conference should know that during the last flood eve,'- 1000 acres were inundated, and yet the Minister was advised by one «f his officials that only about 12 acres had been flooded. There had been misrepresentation ’ somewhere. The Mayor of Paeroa had seen for himself as an independent person, and he had verified the serious damage that had occurred, and had in turn advised the Minister of the true position of affairs. . THE SETTLERS’ CASE, Mr J. Wakeham was the speaker. He contended that before the blocks were put in certain drains the Awaiti settlers should have been consulted. A plan was produced showing the position of the drains, and stating that they would be completed, and the stop-banks erected. They Were only now completed ft ter 11 years. The Under-Secretary of Lands explained that the Lands Department realised that flooding was liable to take place. Press.ure was brought to bear and the Awaiti block was .thrown open for settlement, contrary to the wishes of the Lands Department officials, who realised that there was inadequate drainage and stop-banking. The Government was willing to do all it could to help the settlers, but the position had not been misrepresented in anyway. BLOCKAGE OF DRAINS. Mr Wakeham said that the blocks wexe pqt in without the settlers’ knowledge, and they prevented the natural flow of water off the land. If the blocks were to be left where they were, it would be impossible to farmthe land, and another outlet or scheme would have to, be evolved. The settlers desired to know what the engineers intended to do to assist the farmers. DEPARTMENT’S VIEW. The Under-Secretary said that he knew the Awaiti settlement thoroughly, and realised that it could not be successfully drained until it was stopbanked and a large flood-gate provided at Netherton. He felt sure that when the flood-gate was completed a satisfactory position would obtain. The Awaiti settlers’ 1900 acres was the first care of the Lands Department. Levels had been taken, and the engineers were doing what they could to give effective protection. The Lands Department was only concerned with 1900 acres in the Awaiti settlement From the data in hand it was possible to design a scheme that would benefit the area without proving detrimental to the land in the adjoining area. He promised to do everything he possibly could.

Mr O. N. Campbell s.aid that a wide difference of opinion existed as to the amount of land submerged. It had been stated that the whole settlement had been submerged, but the department’s esime;tes showed that the area was only about 12 acres. The whole area was no doubt very wet after the heavy' rains experienced at that time. After heavy storm water laid on all flat country and filled the depressions, but from the department’s point o® view that country was not flooded, though it might ceratinly be vr?.y wet.

From the department’s point d£ view country was flooded when the water level in the rivers or outlet drains, was so high that water spilled over the 'adjoining land and laid there. He could not understand why the settlement should he effected as it apparently was while there >vas no great rise in the Waihou River. This, however, was partly explained by the fact that there was no provision for the maintenance of the H drain, and that this drain badly required cleaning. The result was that the, department’s system was surcharged with water that should normally found an outlet through that drain. It was most important that some provision for the efficient maintenance of that drain should, be made, and the drain cleaned out annually at least. In regard to drainage in .that locality, Mr Campbell said that now sqemed the time to clean up the whole situation. This settlement was about to come into very profitable occupation. Drainage works on both sides, of the area were sufficiently far advanced to give a 'reasonably efficient drainage serivce. Oh all such low-lying areas water troubles would always be present, and there was sure to.be inconvenience when there was a, fall of ten inches or so df water in the course df. two or three 'days. But apart from that there was now little danger of a big inflow of foreign water. Under old conditions the settlement was always liable to be flooded out by either the Waihou River oh the east or the Awaiti Stream on the west. He did not anticipate any such visitation in the future, so there was no necessity to have alternate systems of. drainage to meet each possible contingency. REASON FOR : BLOCKS. This, continued Mr Campbell, brought up the question of the blocks in the Awaiti West and Pukahu Road drains. The department was carrying out extensive works in the Awaiti basin. These works were undertaken for the benefit of the lands in that valley, and also to prevent floodwaters from that source flooding out the settlement. There was now 1 very little posisbility of any flood in the Awaiti overflowing in the settlement 'direction, but there would be a continuous flooding in the low lands in the Awaiti valley if flood-water from the settlement was to be permitted to spill over into that valley. The Awaiti valley opposite the settlement was very low and shallow, and was some 2¥t lower than the general level of the settlement Settlers in the valley were consequently up against a difficult drainage problem, but by resorting to pumping during extreme weather conditions they hoped to be able to carry on successfully, and he felt sure that they could do so. But if that narrow valley was to become the dumping ground for foreign water‘off the outer area the position would become a hopeless cne. The chief drainage engineer contended that it was of ho use to instal pumps in that area if water was to be allowed to pour in from the surrounding high ground. It was apparent, therefore, that if the Awaiti Valley lands were to be used at all they had to be isolated, in which cas;e they would be satisfajetorily workable. With the Waihou stop-banked and the Awaiti floods lowered, it was not necessary for the settlement .to have outlets nito both the Waihou and the Piako.. -With the H and Netherton drains hi;good order an outlet into the Piako River would be Of little value, unless there happened to be a heavy flood in the Waihou and no .flood in the Piako, and that state of affairs was not very likely to occur. If an outlet into the Piako was considered necessary it would have to be stop-banked through the low country and flood-gated. It would cost approximately £2OOO, and the department did not think the settlement would' receive compensating benefits} The only difficulty in providing this outlet ‘was the cost, and if the money was provided the department would carry out the work without much trouble. MAINTENANCE NECESSARY. Mr Campbell stressed the point that Is was absolutely necessary for the settlement that the H drain should be efficiently maintained. Also .that the Netherton drain should be similarly maintained and possibly improved. To ensure these works being done and placed under proper control for all time he considered that the whole of the watershed of these drains should become a riding in. a drainage district, or otherwise a separate drainage district altogether. Ratepayers would then control the expenditure of their own moneys, and the efficient maintenance and, if necessary, improvement, of this drain would then be assured for all time. The watershed referred to ran through the settlement where the drains had been blocked, and extended northwards to just below Netherton and southwards to a narrow tongue near the Tirohia bridge. The section along the western boundary of this! settlement would remain in the* Hauraki Plains area. The matter was a most important one, and it seemed that settlers within the suggested area should appoint a committee to go into .the matter and collect the necessary information. The department would give the committee every assistance in arriving at a decision, and undoubtedly the Public Works Department would do likewise. The committee could then report to the settlers, who would decide what action was to be taken. FUTILITY OF LOCAL CONTROL Mi Wakeham contended that work had been done to benefit certain settlers to the detriment of other settlers. The Awaiti settlers were heavily rated for drainage, while the Netherton settlers did not Jay a drainage rate.

The chairmail said that the land had been sold and an undertaking given that it would be drained. That work had been done to a certain degree, but now the water had been thrown back on to thQland. The Ijajhds Department had done wonderful work, but it was not reasonable to expect the settlers to form a drainage board or committee when the department, with money, engineering staff, and machinery, could not do the work. This, season’s crops had been sown two or three times, and the settlers could not go on contending with such difficulties. It was not desired

to bump up against the Elstow Drainage Board, but it ,wajs not reasonable that the settlers in that area should benefit their holdings .to the detriment of the Awaiti farmers. The Under-Secretary intimated that the flood-gate at Netherton was not yet completed, and until it was, deepening the main Nethqrton-Awaiti drain would be useless. The department did not expect the settler 1 ?, to shoulder heavy burdens, and the department would make the whole areg, reasonably safe before handing the working over to the settlers to maintain.

Mr Samuel said that the main point at issue was to evolve a system whereby relief would result

GRIEVANCES OF SETTLERS.

Mr B. Halligajn detailed the grievances of the Awaiti settlement landholders at considerable, length. The first point was that certain drains running east and west and proving very beneficial during .the last eight years had beep blocked by certain dams. The settlers, contended that the lands drainage engineer had misitepresented the position to .the Minister df Lands. There were 30' Crown tenants in the settlement, which was 154 miles from the Waihou River, and before their land cduld ge drainage the only outlet to the Waihou River had to deal with the- water from the land traversed.

There were six drains running from east to and in these drains dams had been placed.. Objections had been made to this move, and it had been suggested that flaps should be installed instead, so that the drains, would function according to which river was in flood. The engineer had not agreed to this, but insisted on clay darns.

RETROGRESSION ALLEGED.

Continuing, Mr Halligan said that the settlement opened up 12 years ago. Some farms had been abandoned and other farmers would leave but for the amount of money they had invested. The land was liable to flooding from the Waihou on the east, and Piako on the west, and by local rains. As .the stop-banking progressed 'relief from flooding from the Waihou .was secured. It was then seen that the only outlet (south to north) could hot cope with rain alone, and in seven months the settlement was. flooded five times. On this being explained .to the Undersecretary for Lands it was decided to effect drainage into the Awaiti lagoon area, and six drains were made from east to west. For eight years they had worked well, and the settlement was adequately drained. To effect ‘further improvement .the sluggish Awaiti stream had been made into an efficient canal, and other drainage works, had been undertaken. However, without consulting .the settlers theeast to west drains, which had proved so effective, weer dammed apd the settlement made worse than it was eight years ago. In that eight years many internal drains had been made by settlers, and these now brought water op to the land, with the result that it was waterlogged and practically ruined. The only outlet was the roadside drain to the Waihou at Nethei toh. In the, first rains after the damming the whole settlement was; inundated, at some places to a depth of two feet. The dams were removed from the drains’ several times by the settlers, and at one time the- water level was thereby lowered four feet. The removal of the blocks had been objected to by thq Lands Department on account of the flooding of Wynyard’s and other low-lying lands. The Elstow Drainage Board had threatened to prosecute anyone removing the dams again. During the last flood the Mayor of Paeroa and the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, had inspected the area at the request of the settlers. Mr J. Kidd, of the Lands Department, was present at the same time. The Paeroa men were amazed at the extent of the flooding, and Mr Kidd ha.d ordered some dams to be ■removed. On the following day Taylor and Kidd inspected the area, and evidently reported to the’Minister of Lands, for he wired that the settlers’ representations were exaggerated as not more than 12 acres were submerged. The settlers replied that the report Was absolutely false. It was, therefore up to the lands drainage engineer to explain this. ELSTOW BOARD’S ATTITUDE.

Mr M. H. Wynyard, a member of the Elstow Drainage Board, said .that the board was contributing about £30,000 towards adequate drainage and flood protection. The original drains had been carried through his property without reference to him. A joint scheme, to cost ajjout £60', 000, was entered into, and was now in course of operation. He wished to make it clear l .that the board 'appreciated the views of the Awaiti settlers but the board’s ratepayers could not afford to have such heavy expenditure readered valueless, and it was not reasonable to go on taking water from the Awaiti East area. If personalities were dropped the position could be satisfactorily faced. While desiring to see that the Awaiti settlers received relief, it was also desirable to see that the Elstow Board people were considered and taken into the confidence of all the settlers and the officials.

The Under-Secretary said that he thought the acrimonious discussion would' lead nowhere. It would be far better to close the conference awl leave the matter, and evolve a scheffie whereby relief would be afforded to all. He would be willing to recommend the matter to the Minister, and, if necessary, recommend that an outside expert engineer be appointed to assist the local engineers In making their deliberations. Enough been said that day to convince the engineers that something would have to be done.

Mr W. J. Andrews, chairman of the Bistow Drainage Board, said that the chairman was ruling unfairly, because the matter was of vital importance to the Elstow Boards’ settlers. The board did not want the Awaiti settlers but if they wanted assistance the board would consider their requirements as inseparable from those of the board. If the Awaiti settlers would form themselves into a drainage boa,rd they would find that they would have more power than as a

body of private The remarks made concerning Mr Taylor were unfair, because he. was a Government official and had his rules and regulations to adhere to.

The chairman ruled Mr Andrews out of order. Mt Andrews claimed a right to speak for his, ratepayers, and was proceeding to do so when the Undersecretary suggested .that the matter be referred to the departments, concerned.

Then there was a babel of voices, many of which carried an angry tone. The chairman then adjourned the meeting for lunch. The evidence heard aifter lunch will appear in our next issue.