FLOODS AT RANGIOTU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2242, 22 February 1921, Page 3

FLOODS AT RANGIOTU.

Mr Edward Newman, M.P., has received the following letter on the above subject from the Minister of Public Works (Mr Coates): —“With reference to representations which were made to me while at Rangiotu on a recent occasion relative to the replacing of a culvert by a trestle bridge under the railway at Rangiotu, I have to inform you that the matter was duly referred to my colleague, the Hon, Minister of Railways, and for your information I append hereto a copy of a reply which I have just received: —“With reference to that portion of your memorandum of 4th ultimo regarding representations made by a deputation, which recently waited on you at Palmerston North, urging that a culvert under the railway at Rangiotu be replaced by a trestle bridge, I have to inform you that a bridge of 12ft. span was erected at this point in 1912, and provides a waterway 10 square feet larger than the waterway through the adjoining road culvert. In view of this, the enlargement of the existing railway culvert would be of no advantage. The road is parallel to and on the south side of the line, and is 18in. below the rail level, and, before lengthening the railway bridge, it would lie necessary for the local body to enlarge the road culvert, and also the outlet to the Oroua river.’ ”

In view of the urgent need for something being done to prevent floods at Rangiotu, it is to be hoped that the local body will take action in the matter without delay, as suggested in the Minister’s letter.