DRAINING THE MOUTOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3768, 22 June 1907, Page 2

DRAINING THE MOUTOA.

Meeting of Settlors. A meeting of Moutoa settlers a was held in the Mayor’s office on • Thursday night for the purpose of discussing the best means of dealing with overflow waters from the Manawatu river in the Moutoa district. There were present: — Cr W. E. Barber (Manawatu County Council), G. O. Barber, W. Carter, Wallace, Gardner, J. and A. Symons, Pigott, T. Nye, W. Smith. A. Edwards, D. Purcell, S. Easton, Cleland, and D. Whibley. The convener, B. Gower Esq., explained that it was impossible for Dr Wall's representative to be present that evening. Regret was expressed by several that one or two of the large land owners were not present although those assembled represented more than a majority of the settlers in the flooded area and the Chairman referred to the meeeting as thoroughly representative. Mr Gower, in opening, explained why the meeting had been called. He referred to the damage done to the land, which was also rendered useless for long periods by reason of the flood water not finding an outlet of sufficient size to carry it off. He said it was high time something was done by the settlers to overcome the trouble, j and the longer they waited the worse it would be. Some action was necessary to relieve the flood water and improve the swamp. The whole matter rested with those present. It was a simple matter to form a Drainage Board. It a majority of ratepayers in the affected area were in favour of forming such a Board, the Gover-nor-in-Council would declare the same. The small holder possessed equal rights with the large owner. It was regrettable that some of the richest country was allowed- to waste on account of the water. He said the services of an engineer would be required to report on the best method of dealing with the water. It would be necessary to set up a controlling body in order . to raise money for the work, and make and levy rates. He regretted that some of the larger owners were not present. Cr. Barber was in favour of ob- . taining an engineer’s opinion in l reference to a drainage scheme, / The settlers did not want to go into the matter blind. Mr Nye referred to the present drains which he said were quite inadequate. Two outlets were necessary. The Chairman suggested widening the present big drain, and adding two wings on each side of it It was pointed out by one settler w that it took six weeks for the land to discharge the overflow water from an ordinary flood. Mr Nye suggested two flood gates at the exit. He said it was the little floods that troubled the settlers at the lower end. A settler : You can have the big floods. It takes six weeks to get . the over ow off the land, and every year the floods seem to get worse and worse. The Chairman suggested a 3d and 6d contribution per acre by property owners to finance a scheme to deal with the matter. He also said it was necessary for the large holder to be brought into line. Mr Barber suggested a preliminary survey and the taking of levels before a Board was and to adjourn the meeting till this information was forthcoming. Mr Carter said if existing drains were kept clear, and a stop bank erected, it would get over the trouble. Mr Nye again suggested a wider outlet. Another settler said the swamp was like a basin, and the water could not at present get away. _ Mr Carter referred to the improved condition of the land when the drains were kept open in the swamp during the time Messrs Caverhill and Wilson weregnanaging the Moutoa estate. The present back boundary was in a very different condition now. If the drains at the upper end were kept clear it would not let the water on to settlers’ property lower down. Mr Symons said if the drain was widened it could deal with the overflow. 1 The efficacy of stop banks was | then freely discussed, and the | question arose whether a Drainage Board would possess the power to erect stop banks to hold the flood waters in check. The settlers seemed unanimous in favour of the formation of a Drainage Board, provided it had the power to erect stop banks. On the motion of Mr Carter, seconded by Mr J. Symons, the Chairman was instructed to consult a solicitor and obtain a legal opinion as to whether a Drainage Board has the power to erect stop banks, and. to report same to a future meeting. The settlers urged _ that the opinion be obtained without unnecessary delay, and that the meeting be called in a fortnight. After other matters of a general, character had been discussed, the v meeting was adjourned sine The usual compliment was corded to the chairman.