PROPOSED FLOODGATE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5444, 5 July 1929, Page 4

PROPOSED FLOODGATE

DISCUSSION ON LOCATION.

NO FINALITY REACHED. At the last meeting of the Netherton Drainage Board a letter was received from Messrs A. Bain, V'. .a. Reid, J. K. Dean, A. E. Simm, and R. Stock, senr., in regard to the proposed flood-gate through the Ngarahi Canal stop-bank located at the sand dump from where the old flood-gate was taken. The letter stated that the writers considered that this woITI give better drainage than if located at the bridge.

Mr E. A. Chester st’.id th it he had learned in conversation v.itn a number of settlers that ihe beation of the flood-gate was considered a secoadaiy matter which had not been mentioned as it would cause a split in the party and prevent it presenting a united demand for a flood-gate.

Mr J. A. Reid spoke at length on the action of the settlers concerned, and opposed the installation of the flood-gate near the’ bridge for the reason that it was in the wrong place and its presence would be a very distinct menace to the whole area. lie quoted the action of the Public Works Department in removing the floodgate from this part of the river and providing outlets for the land near the stop-bank road to the H drain. Mr Chester agreed, and asserted that adequate drainage could be secured for this area by clearing the drains of blackberry.

Mr Halligan asked why the settlers had signed the petition. Mr Reid said that these men, like many other farmers, would sign any petition they were asked to sign. The provision of the H drain had made this land usable, for until this was done and while the land depended on outlets to the river it was a foot un der water every winter.

Mr Chester moved that the assistant egineer, Public Works Department, Paeroa, be approached ahd the question of the outfall drain at the back of W*. A. Reid’s land and the further improvement of Wilson’s' Road drain be discussed. This was carried, and Messrs Buchanan, Chester, and Reid were appointed the deputation. The petition was formally received.

Latei* in the meeting a deputation comprising Messrs W. A. Reid, A. E. Simm, and J. K. Dean waited on the board in support of the petition. Mr W. A. Reid said that a floodgate at the sand heap would serve better and would be cheaper to instal than one at the bridge. Mr Dean said that either site would suit him, but he had agreed to the sand dump site for the benefit of the others. Mr Simm spoke on similar lines. In reply to Mr J. A. Reid Mr Simm said that he had inspected the drains about his farm and had found that there was only a few inches freeboard. The chairman pointed out that a flood-gate could not be installed until after the winter. The board had, therefore, considered ways and queans of providing drainage for the land and had decided to go into the matter of outlets to the H drain. The deputation asserted that the II drain provided a good outlet m the early part of the winter when it was clear of weeds, but when it was dirty it was not an effective outlet. Mi* Chester said that if this proved the case the board could have the H drain cleaned, twice a year. Mr J. A. Reid asserted that a floodgate at the sand dump or at the bridge would not give any drainage when the river was in flood, but the flood-gate would prove, a menace to the whole district. After further discussion tlie chairman said that no finality could -be reached, so it was useless continuing the discussion. The deputation s statements had been noted. Mr W. A. Reid asked if the H drain could be cleaned to give an outlet for the present winter. The chairman said .that this was the direction in which the board was moving.