DRAINAGE PROBLEMS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5053, 17 November 1926, Page 3

DRAINAGE PROBLEMS.

PUKAHU HOAD AREA,

PETITION TO LANDS DEPARTMENT

At the conclusion of the conference on drainage matters at Netherton on Friday last the following petition, bearing 20 signatures, was presented by Mr E. Jamieson, on behalf of the settlers concerned, to the Under-Secretary of Lands (Mr J. B. Thompson) :— “As drainage problems affecting the Crown tenants and other settlers in certain areas, of Awaiti ’bind Netherton are occupying your attention during to-day’s conference, we, the Crowii tenants of Awaiti South on the east side of Awaiti Road and the settlers on Pukahu and Stop-bank roads, aie of the opinion .that .to enable relief to bq given to a section of the area it is necessary to consider the drainage needs df the whole area. Without wishing or intending to prejudice the just claims of any other section, of the community, we wish respectfully to point out that during flood time we are inundated with the water from an area of about 300’0 acres on the south sjde of Pukahu Road and extending' as far as Tirohia, and when Drain H, our natural outlet, is allowed to become blocked and ineffective, as it has been this last winter, our properties are more or less under water for months at a time. These matters were brought under the notice of the Hon. the Minister of Public Works on his recent visit, but the effect that this has had on many settlers on Awaiti Road lo.wer down appeals. to have been overlooked.

“At every heavy downpour of rain the excess water passed over the lowest parts of the fams until it reached the Awaiti Road drain, per the culvert crossing the road near Mr Halligan’s property. “We wish to emphasise the need oT widening, battering, and extending Drain H, and we think the present opportunity should be made the. most of to discuss the maintenance of this drain, for we are. confident that its failure to function has, been the cause of trouble to other 'settlers besides ourselves. In its. present state- it is an impossible task 'for manual labour to keep effective, and as it is not of sufficient capacity it is imperative that it should be made larger.

“We beg to suggest tha ( t the Lands, Department should co-ordinate with the Public Works Department and go into the matter of the effective drainage of the whole area, and we think that the cost of constructing extra drains would be better spent in improving existing ones, as the maintenance will be lighter and will necessarily have to be borne by the settlers in the near future.”

In asking the Undersecretary to convey the petition to the Minister of Lands Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., said that when the Minister df Public Works had inspected the locality at the request of the speaker a promise had been given by the Minister that drain H would be to as sooin as the water reached summer level. Mr Samuel said he would See that,the promise was fulfilled. The Under-Secretary said that he would have pleasure in bringing the matter under the notice of the Hon. A. D. McLeod. He assured the petitioners that every penny of available money was being spqnt on the drainage of .the Hauraki Plains.

Mr H. E. Hill contended that the Government had not kept its promise with regard to reading 'a.nd drainage. The Under-Secretary explained that many roads on .the Plains had been metalled out of 'free grants. Later, the estimates had been taken ever by thq Public Works, Department from the Lands Department, and that change obviously curtailed the activities of his. department. Mr W. Simpson, when referring to the Public Works Department’s suggestion ,to instal a pump at the qnd of the Pukahu Road drain, contended that the erection of an elevator would be more satisfactory and would be a cheaper and more effective proposition. This view wa f s also shared by Mr J. B. Whisker.

Mr Samuel 'replied that the Minister of Public Works had stated that if there was a suitable pump available it would be installed. Up to the present, he understood, the department had not been 'able ,tp obtain a suitable machine, but the matter was in hapd.

Mr Jamiespn 'reminded the Undersecretary that the Minister having promised a pump as a of affording relief was an indication that the Public Works Department realised that something should be done for the settlers.

Mr Thompson reiterated that he would place the matter before his department immediately on his return to Wellington, and an early reply would be forwarded. ,to the petitioners through Mr Samuel.