MENACE OF FLOODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2204, 18 November 1920, Page 3

MENACE OF FLOODS.

. MANAWATi; RIVER BOARD PROPOSED.

TO CONTROL THE WATERS, A meeting called by Mr R. T, Bell of property owners and others interested in (lie proposal to form a Manawatu River Board was held on Tuesday morning, at .Palmerston X., with the obpecl of deluding on a method of raising the funds required to pay preliminary expenses in connection with the formation of the proposed Board. Thirty gentlemen accepted the invitation to lie present, and Mr Bell was voted to the chair.

As convener, Mr Bell explained that the scheme was to confine the Manawatu river to its channel so securely as to prevent any further inundations of pastoral lands on the banks of the river such as occurred with serious results in the recent heavy floods. Banking alone in either the Manawatu or Oroua rivers would not suffice: a comprehen-

sive scheme of a wide nature would have to bo adopted. As a llaxmiller, Mr Bell also mentioned that millers had realised under present market conditions* that certain flax areas could be more advantageously used for pastoral purposes. He also drew attention to the fact that periodical inundations of the exposed pastoral areas would result in a prolific sowing of dial dreaded weed, goalsrue. The lands bordering the river were of the richest and most fertile nature, and it was necessary to husband and carefully guard the continuance of their frail fulness, . It was explained that at a meeting held in April a resolution was passed similar to (hat which the present meeting would consider*, but the carrying into effect of the proposal at that lime had been abandoned owing to lade of funds. Mr Bell observed that at that time settlers had not had a reminder for some years of the serious effect:- of a flood, and had been lulled info a sense of false security. ■ Recently, however, settlors had experienced a -harp reminder, and had found that much of their pasture laud would take some months to recover from the effects of a prolonged inundation. He hoped that (his would have the result of causing those affected to Like more interest in the scheme and to provide funds with greater liberality. Mr Galliehan observed that the area subject to flooding comprised ymout 72,000 acres, and suggested that contributions should be made oji the basis of 3d per acre. Such a plan, he considered, would produce a sum sufficient to cover preliminary expenses four limes over if everyone paid. Allowing for defaulters, there would still lie, he averred, a considerable margin. Discussion then turned ou what

particular scheme would be adopted. and Mr A. Seifert mentioned that a Commission set up in l!)b8 had detailed four possible schemes, though

two In)d been dismissed on ihe grounds that either would eosi half a million of money, a prohibitive amount. There were other objections also. Two schemes, however, had been recommended as both practical and efficient, and could he considered when the Board was formed. He suggested that a competent engineer

should he engaged to report on Ihe practicability of either of the tvio latter schemes in the light of filler knowledge.

A member suggested that the meeting should decide to wait until Mr Thompson, the Government drainage engineer, who had been sent

to America t° gain experience m such work", relumed. Mr Seiferßeouteuded that (he set-

tlers should not wait on the Govern- ' merit, but- should help themselves in the nut I ter, and show a vigorous independent attitude. “Gentlemen, we have been asking the Government for Id years; we might continue asking them for another TO,’ lie concluded. Mr P, E. Baldwin staled that six months ago Ihe Government engineer. Mr Furkerl, had visited the scene and had reported favourably on a, scheme entailing a cut. Iho people interested in (lie scheme-de-served censure for their dihiloriness ju not having immediately approached the Government with a view to having the district constituted as a river board. While he would be prepared to pay the levy suggested, he felt that the proper procedure

had been allowed to slip past. The Chairman was of opinion that a request to the Covernmenl before the recent Hood would very probably have received scant attention. Alow the matter had been definitely shown to bo an urgent and import-

ant one. Mr \V. B. V. Bearee was pessimistic of Hie chances of a successful canvass, or (he carrying of a loan.-even if a board was'formed. He did npl think adequate support would be forthcoming from the Mcmtoa area. It would be better for those in the upper districts to form their own board, which, though it might be small, would be sufficient. Discussion commenced on this point, but was cut short by the chairman on the grounds of. its irrelevancy to the point in view. Individual action he discountenanced, and asked that discussion should proceed with a view to a avklc, comprehensive scheme. It was mentioned that if a cut, as suggested by the Commission, was purthrough. the laud would be obtained under the Public Works Act, and if anyone had a grievance he could advance a claim for compensation. Mr Gallichan then moved that the meeting pledge itself to a contribution of 3d per acre, and use its best endeavours to canvass otjier suf-

fere vs. from floods on Ihe same

The motion was carried

The ((tieslion was asked as to how (he big undertaking of constructing the flood protection works at Makerua would affect the scheme.

The Chairman, replied that (he property-owners concerned in that work had been forced t o take‘immediate action without waiting tor a river board, or face the alternative of a wilderness of goalsrue on their property. However, they would not let their work stand in the way of a comprehensive scheme. The following representatives of the various districts‘were appoint; cd: —Moutoa, Messrs Smith and Carter; Makerua, Messrs Bell and H. Akers; Taonui, Messrs Galliehan and Xcilsen; Buckley and Koputaroa, Messrs McDonald and Richardson; Manawatu County Council, .Messrs W. Barber and Baldwin. On tlio motion of Mr Akers it was decided that it he a recommendation to the representatives of each district to form committees and push on with the work of canvassing and the obtaining of signatures to a petition for the formation of Ihe board. The representatives-will report back to a general meeting of property holders in a month's lime.