DRAINAGE MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5188, 7 October 1927, Page 2

DRAINAGE MATTERS.

THE MILL ROAD AREA.

DRAINAGE BOARD SUGGESTED.

Following on representations made by settlers living on Mill Road, Paeroa, and in the immediate vicinity, a special sub-committee was set up by the Ohinemuri County Council to report on ways and means of providing effective drainage.

At - the council meeting yesterday Mr W. F. Johnstone reported that the locality had been inspected, and the, conclusion 1 arrived at was that the limited amount of money that the council ihad available was Quite insufficient to provide- the drainage required. To give effective drainage was beyond the- resource?' of the council, and the most feasible solution to overcome, the difficutly was the formation of a drainage board. One point in particular in- the area lent itself admirably to the installation of a pumping plant, but under theexisting circumstances, he did not think much work could be undertaken until March next.

These views wore also shared by Cr. F. C. Hubbard, who stated that owing to the Public Works Department's stop-banking work it would be necessary for the, council to reorganise the whole of its drainage methods and expenditure. The- council could, no doubt, afford a litjtle relief by cleaning and deepening the roadside drain, which, while effective to a degree; would not greatly assist settlers with the internal drainage of their holdings. In his opinion it would be a reasonable proposition if the council subsidised the settlers, but it was quite beyond the finances of the council to bear the whole cost of constructing drains. Provided the settlers would co-operate t,here should not be any great difficulties, because- a good fall could be obtained in several directions. At the present time the council could easily expend a large sum of money in the area without producing an appreciable result. The council had already undertaken to consider the drainage question in the Kaimanawa and other areas, and it was his opinion that the matter might be- held over until then. It was finally agreed to hold t,he matter over until early in the year, to be considered with other areas, and the question of cleaning the roadside drain was referred to the engineer.