Proposed Overflow Channel.

Manawatu Herald, 11 July 1903, Page 2

Proposed Overflow Channel.

FURTHER PROGRESS.

A meeting of the Provisional Committee set up in connection with the proposed construction of a channel to relieve the overflow of the Manawatu and Oroua rivers was held on Thursday, Mr 0. Gardner presiding. Eleven members were present. The Chairman said that in order to have something definite to lay before the committee he had drawn up a “ district, ” over which a position could be circulated. He stated that the district had extended as far a Feilding on the Oroua river, and the Gorge on the Manawatu river. If they went as high as Feilding settlers in the Kairanga and the country lying below Feilding, would not be inclined to contribute unless they obtained relief ' from floods. The fall between Feilding was so great, about 135 feet, that unless the committee went to the extent of erecting stop-banks they Would not be able to prevent flood-water flowing over these properties, and therefore he thought that at present it would be advisable to leaye that district out In regard to the upper portion of the Manawatu, the circumstances were similar, only in this instance it was 1 a question of protecting the banks from erosion. The persons affected in this locality were of opinion that they would nob contribute unless they could have their properties secured by the banks being protected. Unless therefore the committee were prepared to include this work also, it should exclude this portion of the district also. He thought it would ,be better for the members to confine themselves to a small area over which they could circulate their petition. In the area proposed they would have about 60,000 or 70,000 acres If the engineer whose services were engaged said they were to protect the banks of the Manawatu and Oroua rivers, then the Apt gave them power to include the necessary areas. However, in order to get to work he moved that that district defined in the proposed petition be the area. Seconded by Mr J. Stansel). Mr R. S.- Abraham thought there -was a great deal to be said in favour of the proposition because in' limiting the rating area they would be the more likely to carry the scheme out. But it had to be considered that once the district was formed it would be difficult to add to it because peepley although perhaps benefiting from the cut, would fight against inclusion in the rating area. The chairman’s motion was then put and carried. The petition sets out the damage that had been caused in the past to properties in the Manawatu, Kairanga and the Horowhenua counties by the overflow of the Manawatu and Oroua Rivers, and states that* it is proposed to obtain the advice of

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an expert engineer as to the best means and costs of relieving the district. The areas alleged to be benefited are set out as parts of blocks 9 and 13, Kairanga Survey District, parts of blocks 1 and 5, Arawani Survey District, parts of blocks 3, r MS, 6,7, 8,9, 10,11,12, 13 and 14, ' Mount Robinson Survey District. It is prayed that the Governor will declare the district defined a “ river district ” under the name the, “ Manawatu —Oroua River ” District, and that he will fix the members at a number not exceeding nine. The petition as amended was adopted. Messrs Gower, Law, Kendall and the Chairman were appointed to obtain signatures for the petition. A resolution was passed asking the Manawatu Railway Co', and the Government to grant free railway passes to members travelling to and from meetings.—Manawatu Times. .