MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2693, 9 February 1924, Page 3

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

ADOPTS ENGINEER’S SCHEME. TO COMBAT FLOOD WATERS. AFFECTING 72,000 ACRES OF FERTILE LAND. _____ 4 A most comprehensive drainage scheme, stated to be of vital importance to a large area of the Manawatu and one of Lhe largest undertakings of its kind in New Zealand, was decided upon at Thursday’s meeting of the MauawatuUroua River Board. For some tune past this body has been considering several alternative proposals to protect the Moutoa, MaKerua, Kauanga, Rangitou and ivoputaroa districts, in all affecting some 72,000 acres from the overilowiug of the ALanawatu and Uroua rivers. __ DETAILS OF SCHEME. The engineer (Mr I’. C. Hay) at me request of Uie board, detailed me four huge schemes under consideration. He recommended that Ao. a scheme, on account of its superior ulgnment, mentioning that ns salient features nad been approved by the Foxton Harbour Board as favouring that body’s narbour operations. Tins scheme, iu common with the others, had only been drafted from the coast to u point near the Fopiar fiaxmifi, and me intention was to continue one of mem in connection with a general seneme of flood protection. The No. 3 scheme provided for a navigable channel through “rush -fiat” to serve me port of Foxton, a deep cut through me Maori laud between Moutoa and “rush ffat" and a channel bounded by levees of an average Height of TU feet through the Moutoa up to the river near the Poplar null, being in the nature of an overilow channel tu take the surplus hoods of the Mannwatu river. Through me Moutoa the chau-

nel would he about 20 chains wide. Through the Moutoa section of the channel there would be excavated a pilot channel ten feet deep down the centre of the main waterway, and it was further proposed to construct a further channel from the existing river near Karikari across Moutoa to join with the overflow channel just below Moh'aka. The No. 3 scheme as outlined gave the shortest possible length of river bank — 11 miles from the Foxton Heads—which would have tu be maintained in future by the board, the distance of the existing channel of the river comprised in the scheme being over 32 miles.

The engineer further dealt with the economics of flood protection, which would he involved, paying particular attention to the huge cost of bridges which would have to he erected at different points over tho proposed artificial waterway to the sea, and the amounts which would have to be paid in compensation to the land owners concerned. Members of the board discussed these matters at some, length and it was agreed that further particulars as to land valuation along the route of the proposed channel would have to lie obtained. PROPOSAL DISCUSSED.

Mr W. S. Carter, turning attentin to the need for arriving at some definite basis of working, said that the initial step was to decide upon which of the four schemes the board was going to proceed with. They had ample information from the engineer, had inspected the area affected and the whole question had been for a long time under review. They should agree upon one. scheme and then hear any objections from the ratepayers concerned.

The chairman said that they must decide upon one scheme and enlighten the ratepayers as to its cost and also as to details. Their proposals embraced one of the largest schemes ever attempted in New Zealand —it was a huge undertaking, and he felt sure that members of (lie hoard realised their great responsibility. Although they were contemplating a project costing a large sum, they night get some assistance from the Government, and (hey must guard against the possibility of a flood disaster. Before again inspecting the ground they should approach the Government, and ask that it appoint experts to accompany the board members and engineer on a tour of inspection of the route of any scheme decided upon. All who had made a study of the district and its changing conditions of late could forsee a disaster in the event of a great flood. Mr Nielsen endorsed the chairman’s remarks and suggested the adoption of No. 3 scheme. Messrs Carter and Anderson followed suit., both stressing the need for propaganda work in connection with the proposal. “The board must now take the ratepayers into their absolute confidence, and they must be enlightened as to the disastrous possibilities of an extensive flood,” said Mr Carle r.

“We can tell the ratepayers what is intended to be done as soon as \ye decide upon one definite scheme” said Mr Nielsen.

“Here is a scheme so big that to carry it through without financial assistance would entail a higher rate than the area affected could afford. The Government should at least assist us in the cost of acquiring land and building bridges,” said Mr A. Seifert. No. 3 SCHEME ADOPTED.

On the motion of Mr Nielsen, seconded by Mr- Akers, it was decided “That Lhe board adopts No. 3 scheme as submitted and recommended by the engineer, as part of a general scheme of ilood relief for the Manawatu and Oroua rivers.” On the motion of Mr Carter, it was decided that the members of ihe board and the engineer wait on the Prime Minister, and Ministers for Public Works and Internal Affair's, for the purpose of asking assistance in the matter of carrying out lhe Hood protection works in connection with the Manawatu and Oroua rivers, arrangements in connection with the deputation being left m the hands of the chairman.