DIVERTING FLOODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2198, 4 November 1920, Page 3

DIVERTING FLOODS.

SCHEMES DISCUSSED BY DRAINAGE HOARD.

Trustee N. P. Nielsen drew the attention of the Manawatn Land Drainage Board on .Monday to the activities of the Makenia Drainage Board in hanking'properties of settlers affected by Hood" waters from the Manawatn. He said that the lianking on one side of the river would simply divert the flood tA the other side, where the' 'country; in flood time, would be more deeply covered than ever. Settlers had called a meeting in Palmerston with the object of making a hank on the opposite side of the river also, and a canvass had been made for financial support to put the work in hand and form a drainage board. Unfortunately the support had not been forthcoming, and it was not legal to form a drainage board and pay the preliminary expenses out of levies. Something would have to he done to protect the country on the side of the river opposite the hank, and ho wanted to know what the Manawatn Drainage Board could do m the matter.

The chairman, Trustee E. Woods, was of the opinion that the solution of (he problem was in straightening the Manawatn River wherever possible. IE the bends were taken out the water would get away quicker and the streairmwould deepen itself to such an extent that it would become navigable as far as Palmerston.

Trustee Nielsen agreed with the chairman. From Hamilton’s Line to Foxton, a distance of 65 miles by river, there was absolutely no fall. Something .should be done to improve the present conditions, and it should be done before it was too late. Settlers in the upper reaches’ of flic Orima thought that the matter wouhKnol affect them, Iml when the hank was completed by 'the Makerua Drainage Board they would alter (heir opinion. There being no prospect of help from the Manawatn Drainage Board, the mat ter dropped. —M.D. Times.