FLOOD RELIEF

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 34, 8 February 1913, Page 3

FLOOD RELIEF

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —Closely following the proposed amalgamation of the two boards, the Lower Wairau River and Harbor Boards, which result would be a step , towards development, coupled with an j extended area in boundaries, I I thought of airing my views on a point I indirectly bearing upon it. There ; seems to be a difference of opinion, as !*° the. g°o<i of dredging the Opawa j River in its providing flood relief. To j.myA/mind, the gain is there, and I plain, if the material dredged is partJ"• Jy used in raising the protective : j banks. By deepening the' river, J through dredging, and raising the . } banks with the dredged matter, I there is a better chance of the river J carrying the flood-water from the I Taylor. If you only raise the protective banks, and a:llow the river-bed I still to silt up with every flood, there can be no advantage gained. The idea is, of course, open to discussion. I believe, with all dxie respect to the •.j ratepayers, that they are starting at the wrong end of the street, in a man- | ncr speaking. Whilst I greatly ■ favor an efficient water and drainage t system, I also study this. I quote I ffm? 1 th<i Hon- Ml> Usher's remarks: I, The doorway of Blenheim, the key of j winch is held by a well known ship;- --; ping company." There is another en- , trance though, (providing a cheaper ' i and quicker means of transit) the : River Opawa, also meaning a more , rapid development of the district. I say "open this door," the key of | which, is in the hands of the people I of Blenheim, and Marlborougb?," i.e., . dredge, deepen, and straighten the { Opawa. The ground encroached upon 1 . in doing so will have to be paid for to '•■ the holder, not at a fancy price, but \, ■at an intelligent value. Start at i ; the worst bends, on the poorest \ ■ ground, to straighten. The section of '< river cut out can be reclaimed, filled ' , in with dredged matter and will be- \ come a. valuable asset of/the control- i ling body. The same can be done in \ • other parts of the river—the river j straightened up to about sor miles ' > to the bar, and with a fall of 9ft., ' t which the river-bed is reckoned to I have, it will not have the same oppor- • ; tunity to silt up. The Wairau River : ' could be trained by a. system of walls { ;to keep the bar clear. Tlie question ; \is raised, naturally, Where is the j i money to do all this to come from? i ' Hence my remark that the ratepayers • ! are starting at the wrong end of the ! street. If it is possible, why not em- .{ ploy the £65,000 which has been voted1 I for water and drainage, and apply it ' in a direction which will be of more ; advantage to the province in the near I future; and, at a later date, proceed I with the water and drainage scheme. : This is my idea. It may not appeal to ; many, but is open to discussion. I ! say, "open the door," the key of which is in our own hands. Combine, • and work with one object in view,' the expansion of Marlborough province, to be obtained by the- combination of the . 1 whole community. I G. M. BROWN.