Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1920. PROTECTING FLOODED AREAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2196, 30 October 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1920. PROTECTING FLOODED AREAS.

THE present heavy Hood in the Mnnawaiu will ];•■(>l>a!)!>■ revive tho agitation For some comprehensive scheme to control ilie Hood waters oF tins big river, and prevent the inundation of thousands oF acres.of fertile land, which means a considerable fin ane inf annual loss to the district. The land adjacent to the river right tip to Palmerston is probably the richest in Mew Zealand — all-tin*-year land —and suitable* for close sol (lenient purposes. When we sav close settlement we mean that it could be farmed profitably in 50 acre blocks, as the soil is (eel. deep and suitable For intensive cultivation, while the climatic conditions are second to none. But this fertile land is subject to inundation, and in these eireumsl ances it eatu not lie closely settled. The fringe of its produel ivily is not even touched. A commission took evidence some years ago as to (he host means of dealing with the overflow from this tortuous river, and recommended two cuts giving straight runs fo the sea. Either of the schemes recommended would involve the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, which would necessitate the constitution of a Board of Control, having jurisdiction over the river from the Gorge. Any improvements effected at (Ids end would naturally bene lit the lands in the upper reaches, and the lands higher it]) should bear a share of the cost.- A comprehensive scheme and Board control to carry it out is the correct solution. Once free the affected area, from flood waters, and the land is increased in valm* and productivity a hundredfold. The owners of one large block have already set to work to protect ( their land from flooding. Their protective works will divert the flood waters to a greater extent over the land lower down. It will not release the flood waters. A cut or run out is essential, and this is the only scientific method of assisting nature and reclaiming the land.