KAIMANAWA DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5113, 11 April 1927, Page 3

KAIMANAWA DRAINAGE.

FACILITIES REQUIRED. DISCUSSION BY COUNTY, The matter of drainage, facilities in the Kaimanawa riding was brought before the Ohinemuri County Council at its meeting on Thursday last. In the course of a letter Mr B. M. Hopping, Hikutaia, pointed out the unsatisfactory nature of the present and future drainage, of that area of land situated west of the Alexander canal outlet and In the direction of the Netherton ferry. He also pointed out the importance to the settlers of the Hikutaia West area of properly cleaning and maintaining the Ferry drain as a permanent outlet. It was understood, the letter continued, that the outlet was likely to be abandoned, and a request was made that the council should have the, outlet cleared before the winter, and at the same, time make representations to the Public Works Department to treat the drain as a main outlet and to erect a flood-gate. Since the, dnain had fallen ino disrepair during the last three years the farms around the drain were a great deal wetter than the writer had known them for the last nine years. Alexander’s canal outlet was, without doubt, the most important outlet drain, as had been proved during the years it had been the principal outlet for the district. The fact that it was a road drain, and was efficient and independent, was sufficient reason why it should not be abandoned under any consideration when it served land that was low-lying and subject to floods. The writer concluded: “During my residence here, the outlet provided by the Public Works Department has proved useless. The water is going in an opposite direction, namely, from the river into the canal near Murdoch’s,, and travelling a distance of some four miles, whereas it could have got out through the before-mentioned old outlet in less the number of chains.” Cr. R. R. Morrison said that the work was highly important, and he was of the opinion that the Public Works Department should be approached and requested to put in a flood-gate, the provision of which would shorten the distance. He moved that the council clean the drain, and that the Public Works Department be asked to erect a flood-gate. In answer to the chairman (Mr H. M. Corbett), Cr. Morrison said that it was the duty of the council to clean the drain. The water, instead of going into the river, flowed back into the Alexander canal, a dfctjancpi o|> nearly two miles in a northerly direction. The flood-gate was required on the Ferry Road drain.

In seconding Cr. A. R. Robinson said that the settlers required another outlet, and the position was a' serious one to those concerned, whereas the cost of cleaning to the council was trivial. ‘ The chairman said that the council was required to clean the drains, and he thought the resolution was in order. * Cr. C. E. Mace objected, and said it appeared to him that the matter of cleaning drains in the Kaimanawa riding was increasing in cost each year, and he wondered where, it’ was going to stop. The chairman pointed out that for many y-ears the council had been cleaning the main drains only, and the usual procedure was being followed again this year. It was desirable that the Public Works Department should be approached and asked its attitude with regard to the provision of a flood-gate. The resolution was carried.