FLOOD PROTECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2706, 11 March 1924, Page 4

FLOOD PROTECTION.

MANAWATU-OROXJA BOARD. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RE QUIRED. At Thursday’s meeting of the Ma-liawatu-Oroua River Board, the hoard discussed at length in committee, ways and means of raising the huge sum required for the execution of its extensive flood protection scheme and the amount of financial assistance which would be required from the Government. The engineer Mr F. C. Hay, who had gone into the matter extensively, stated that, towards the cost of the proposed scheme, the land affected would not be able to contribute any more than five-fourteenths of the amount of benefit which would accrue to it, and they would have to go to the Government for the balance. The maximum levy of fivefourteenths of the benefit would also include any rates at present being paid by sections of the land concerned to other drainage boards in the district.'The engineer dealt with and the board considered, the questions of valuation and classification of the area for rating purposes ; and the matter of compensation to land owners. It was finally decided, on the motion of Mr Nielsen, to adopt as a basis of financing the scheme, the five-fourteenths proposal suggested by the engineer. The chairman (Mr R. T. Bell) pointed out that before the loan proposal was placed before them the ratepayers would be made thoroughly conversant with all the board’s proposals concerning compensation for land taken or affected by the execution of the scheme. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer reported that the contract for the survey of the board’s area was half completed to within a few miles of Longburn railway bridge. He felt positive that pumping would be an advantageous mol hod of draining in the lower portions of Mn korun and Kairnnga, while the lower parts of Moutoa and Koputaroa could be effectively drained in no other way. TTe had made enquiries as to the cost of electrically operating the pumps which would be required. He had inspected the Oroua river in regard to complaints about blockages there and found that the only serious blockages were at the Mangawhata bridge and at the rail groyne put in by a, drainage board. These blockages were not of recent origin, but chiefly consisted of old snags, and the river channel had not been affected as the result of the hoard’s recent operations. If the hoard adopted the rating proposals submitted to the last meeting—the whole distriet ruling on a classification basis to finance the whole scheme up to the limit the land could afford—it would lie equitable for each subdivision and each ratepayer. No one would be called upon to pay a higher rate than was justified by the benefit received. Further, if would not be necessary for the board to buy from drainage boards or individuals any existing works owned by them and incorporated in Hie board’s scheme. —The report was adopted. CORR E SPONDEN CE.

From the Moutoa Drainage Board asking that representatives of the Maifawatu-Oroua River Board confer with the former body and discuss matters of common interest affecting land drainage and flood protection work in their respective areas. —The engineer and chairman were appointed to represent the board.

From the State Forest Department forwarding a circular dealing with the manner in which it could undertake or supervise planting to prevent sand drift near the mouth of the Manawatu river.—lt was decided to thank the department, and to have copies of the circular s\ipplied to members of the board and to the Foxton Harbour Board, which latter body, it was suggested, might also he interested. From the Manawatu Drainage Board asking that the MnnawatuOroua River Board’s engineer report on and prepare plans, etc., for the erection of a flood-gate at the outlet of Burke’s drain. —II was decided that the engineer do the work as requested and report hack to (lie board. Accounts totalling £2(52 14/(5 were passed for payment.

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