MOUTOA DRAINAGE.

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

MOUTOA DRAINAGE.

The backbone of Moutoa assembled in the Major’s office on Thursday night, in response to Mr B. G. Gower’s invitation to discuss whether united action should be taken to deal with the overflow waters in that area. Year after year acres upon acres of some of the most fertile soil in the colony is rendered useless for months by reason of the overfloow flood water from the Manawatu rushing over the land and remaining there for long periods until it trickles back to the river. The present drains are totally inadequate to relieve the land of water. Now that the settlers have met together they are of one opinion as to the urgent necessity for combined action. Wednesday night’s meeting decided to obtain a legal opinion as to whether a Drainage Board lias the power to construct stop banks. If a reply is received in the affirmative, we understand no time will be lost by the settlers mapping out an area over which the Board will exercise control, and having the area surveyed, levels taken, and a comprehensive scheme with the approximate cost laid before the settlers by a competent engineer. The settlers, and particularly the small holders, are to be commended for their action, although we have it on the best authority that the large holders are sympathetic with the movement. If he latter took the lead it would appear to some as if they wanted to foist a scheme on to their smaller brothers. Anyhow, now that the settlers have put their hands to the plough there will be no looking back.