DIVERTING THE FLOOD WATERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1032, 18 April 1912, Page 3

DIVERTING THE FLOOD WATERS.

MEETING AT SHANNON,

COMMITTEE SET UP TO

REPORT.

A meeting of landowners, convened by Messrs E. Law, P. Inge, R. VV. Taylor and A. Saunders, interested in diverting the flood waters of the Mauawatu, was held in the Druids’ Hall, Shannon, yesterday. There was an attendance of about 25 landowners and Mr E. J. Armstrong C.E., of Palmerston, was also present for the purpose of giving any expert information required. Mr E. Law was voted to the chair.

A telegram was read from the Prime Minister regretting his inability to be present, but advising that he had brought the meeting under the notice of the Department. Messrs E. Newman M.P,, and J. A. Nash, Mayor of Palmerston North, also sent apologies for absence. Dr. A. K. Newman M.P. for Wellington East and who also owns laud on the river bank, wrote regretting that he was unable to be present and stating that he was m sympathy with the object ot the meeting and would be glad to support any proposition that was sound and workable. It was a big scheme and required being dealt with on a comprehensive scale from the Mauawatu Gorge right to the sea, and he was not in favour of dealing with It piece meal, but would read and study any suggestions that were made.

The Chairman read the notice convening the meeting, and stating that it had been called lor the purpose of discussing some scheme to relieve the flood waters. Although the past two or three seasons had been fairly free Irom bad floods it was not known how long such conditions would last and no doubt they would, if no steps were taken, later on be confronted with the trouble in as bad a form as ever. Some five years ago a Royal Commission was set up to report on the best means of dealing with the flood waters. The Commission took a great deal of evidence and altogether considered three schemes for overflow channels. After carefully considering the matter the Commission recommended what was known as Pearce and Hennessy’s scheme. The present meeting was called together to get the opinion ot the landowners as to whether they should go further in the matter or not. They wanted the opinions of those present as to whether it would pay to expend the amount required to relieve the area of flood waters or not. The scheme recommended by the Commission was read as follows: — This scheme runs into the river at the Moutoa Maori Church. From there it keeps generally along the present course of the river, but cuts off all points and straightens all bends. It is known as Messrs Pearce and Heunessy’s scheme. Its particular feature is that it will serve the present wharves at F'oxton and reduce the distance from there to the Heads by some two miles. It starts at the Fisherman’s Point, and there cuts in an almost straight line for Foxton. through the flats there to the returned bend of the river, which it crosses, and then cuts through the point at Matakarapa immediately opposite the wharves. Then, crossing the river, and coming out a little to the east near Mrs Austin’s house, it hugs the foot of the dry land on the extreme west side of the Moutoa lowlands till it gets into the present river at the Moutoa Maori Church. It has the advantage over both the other schemes considered that it is about one and one-quarter miles shorter to Moutoa than they are, but it has additional cutting to do, which makes up for this in cost. There is a slight benefit in the fall by this shorter distance which is important. At the Heads, 100. it discharges straight out to sea, which is very desirable in view of the future improvements to the bar which the prospective Harbour Board will no, doubt undertake. Its cost as a scheme is about .£350,00., and with its advantage in serving Foxton, its reduced length, the probability of its being in more solid ground, and so needing less bank protection, we are inclined to recommend it as the most suitable solution of the difficulty of getting rid ot this serious flooding on one of the finest and, no doubt, when drained, most productive areas in the Dominion.”

The Commission also added a rider as follows :

‘‘While not surprised to find the settlers very cautious, and opposed to any large scheme, because ot its cost, and the probability of their being heavily rated to meet it. the Commission, after visiting all the districts, carefully noting the very excellent character of the land everywhere, and how it is being severely handicapped by floods in the lower area, and by erosion and consequent entire loss particularly in the upper parts, considers that, even if the whole of the above scheme cannot be undertaken, it will amply repay the settlers and the Dominion to undertake the straightening of the the river by putting in the first cut from Foxton to Moutoa —that is, from the three mile to the nine mile point. This would relieve the flooded area very considerably, and Would give such evidence of its value as. we believe, would convince the settlers of the advisability of completing the whole scheme. We look on this cut as the first and most necessary work to be done. It wants taking out at least 15 chains wide, and would ptobably average 12 It. deep. This

would provide for half the quantity of water running in a high flood, and would cost approximately ,£150,000.”

Mr Pearce considered that to cut a channel 15 chains wide was out of all propoition, the river at Rongiotu being, he said, only about three chains vyide. An overflow channel of a similar width was, in his opinion, sufficient to carry the flood \r aters. It could be made a less width than was really required and let It scour a larger channel itself. He would be quite in favour of paying his share of rates for a channel from the Maori church at Moutoa to the river, but as for the cut from the river to the sea he was opposed to it as he did not consider it would in any way relieve the upper lauds and in any case it was really a Harbour Board matter. He did not think the cost of the cut from Foxtou to the Maori church would be anything near the amount estimated by the Commission, and if its width were reduced as suggested, the cost would be much less again. Mr Henuessy asked whether it was intended that the river was to be diverted through the new channel which would be about 9 miles long as against 35 or 40 miles of the present river bed. Mr Gower said provision had only been made lor a channel 12ft deep so it could have only been intended as an outlet for the overflow.

Mr Armstrong said the cost of construction as calculated by the Commission was based on the conditions existing at that time. At the present time there were no modern appliances in New Zealand for work of this description, but if a work of magnitude, such as the scheme suggested, were undertaken, it would be an advantage to employ one of the best and latest machines, similar to those at present in use in America. This would do ihe work at about one-fourth of the cost of the methods at present in use in the Dominion. In any case the cost could safely b& taken at half of that estimated by the Commission. Nothing would be lost by purchasing up-to-date machinery, as it could afterwards be used in other parts ot the Dominion, where no doubt larger works would be carried out tor the benefit of the country. Mr Robinson considered it would be better to divert the river than to make an overflow channel only.

Mr Armstrong said the short overflow would eventually become the master channel and thus become the river. Of course, il desired, preventive works could be constructed to prevent this. In reply to a further question, Mr Armstrong said that the greater the flow of water the better effect it would have on the Foxton bar, but he considered that in any case it would also be necessary to dredge if il were desired to keep the bar absolutely clear.

It was decided on the motion 01 Mr Henuessy, seconded by Mr Johnston, that a committee be formed to go fully into the matter and furnish a report. The following committee was set up ; —Messrs P. Henuessy, E. Law, W, Pearce, W. Barber, H. G. Hammond, B. G. Gower, C, Higginsou, R. McNab, P. Inge, H. Akers, F. Bryant and H. Greig. The meeting terminated after passing a vote of thanks to the chair. MEETING OR COMMIT! EE. A meeting of the Committee .vas held in the afleinoou when all were present with the exception of Messrs R. McNab, H. Greig and F. Bryant. Mr E. Law was elected chairman ot the committee and Mr E, J. Armstrong secretary, the amount of the latter’s remuneration to be be decided upon at the next meeting of the committee. After some little discussion it was decided that the members of the committee meet at Walden’s corner, Moutoa, on Wednesday next, at ro a.m., for the purpose of going over the loute of the proposed cut.

The meeting then terminated