PUBLIC WORKS DRAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5181, 21 September 1927, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS DRAINS.

PEKAPEKA-GUMTO4VN AREA. WAIHOU STOPBANKING. With a view to ascertaining the extent and nature of the works to be undertaken by the Public Works Department under the Waihou River Improvement Scheme the Hauraki United Drainage Board 'recently approached the department as it felt that certain works which it intended carrying out may not be necessary as the result of the Department’s works. The resident engineer, Paeroa, has advised that the, works proposed which would involve th© Pekapeka Road drains consisted of a 4-ft. diameter floodgate at the mouth of existing drain about 15 chains downstream from Pekapeka Road, deepening the drain running into it and excavating a cross drain behind the stopbank which will cross, Pekapeka Road through a culvert and intercept all Pekapeka roadside drain water.

“It will be seen,” continued the letter, “that an outlet will be provided for the Pekapeka Road water, but, no work will be done by the department actually on the drain in reference, and any improvements the board may effect will not be wasted.” A committee was deputed to interview t,he resident engineer to secure further information.

A plan forwarded by the department showed a drain running alongside the Turua-Netherton road to about 30’ chains, south of Pehapeka Road, wherea 3ft 6in culvert is shown. A drain is shown across sections 3 and 2, Pekapeka Road and section 1 at about 10 chains west of the road, and thence along the boundary of sections 1 and‘ 10'5 to a 4ft culvert. A drain is shown along the Turua-Netherton road frontage of sections 103 and 104, and thence southward to the previously mentioned culvert. A drain is shown crossing sections 106, 107, 108, 109, and 110, and thence northward between sections 110 and 11.1 and onward across sections 100', 98, and 96, thence along the boundaries of sections; 96 and 94 to a 4ft culvert apparently the existing Handley’s outlet. A drain is shown following the river right round section 114 and onward along the river frontage of section 113 to a. 3ft 6in culveyt. Parallel to the, Turua-Netherton road and about two-thirds of the distance to the river a drain is shown from the boundary of sections 92 and 94 northward to Wharepoa Road, where a 4ft culvert is provided on the' southern side of. the; road. A 3ft 6in culvert is shown on th'e northern side of the road as an outlet for a new drain, crossing sections 54, 52, and 50. A zig-zag drain is shown across sections: 48 aaid 46 to the existing drain at thle end qf Gumtown Road. It seems that the existing outlets to the river at Pekapeka Road, Carter’s Corner, Porritt’s, No. 1 Monganui, Troughton’s-Henry’s, and Ansford’s will be closed up by the stopbank. WAIHOU STOP-BANKS.

In reply to the board’s 'letter the Public Works Department’s resident engineer at P&eroa advised that the department intended constructing < a stop-bank along the Waihou Rivei south of Wharepoa Road. It would follow the river level 1% chains back from the water’s edge, would be constructed by suction dredge, and would consist of sand 20ft wide on top " ith batters, 2 to 1 in front, 3 to 1 at the back, and covered with a layer of ■earth Ift in depth. It was anticipated that the work would be in hand oneyear from date. The formation level of the stop-bank, would average about ■4 ft in height.