MAKERUA SWAMP LANDS.

Shannon News, 14 March 1924, Page 3

MAKERUA SWAMP LANDS.

■ • ♦_ —_ ■ HUGE PROTECTION WORKS. INSPECTION BY DRAINAGE BOARD. With the passing of another fifteen or eighteen months, the lands in the Makerua district should be immune from th e flood water that from time to time invades the banks of the Manawatu river, as it twists and turns snake-like to the heads at Poxton The reason for this is that the Makerua Drainage Board, some four years ago, instituted proposals for th e effective drainage of these - valuable lands, and about a year later commenced to construct protection banks in accordance with its scheme. To date approximately two thirds oi the extensive undertaking has been completed and already a large portion of th e 23,000 acres of alluvial flat, previously inundated or affected at, every rise of the great Manawatu watercoui-se, has benefited to a gratifying extent. Marsh lands through which animals could not pass, ( in- many instances, have been converted into rich pastures to-day, carrying many head of stock. When ultimately the huge undertaking is completed thousands of acres of land will likewise be greatly enhanced in value and utilised to better purpose than at present; !

, OBJECTS OF SCHEME. _.. The objects of the extensive scheme which involves the expenditure of £IOO,OOO are to bank out the trouble-' some.flood writers, which used to frequently spread over the Makerua area and also to prevent any overflow from the Tokomaru stream and various other small watercourses draining the hills, such as the Kara and 'Mangaone The Drainage Board since receiving the sanction of the ratepayers to execute their proposals, has expeditiously pushed ahead with the necessary protection work, with the result that the major portion of the undertaking has ' been completed. The policy of th e Board in construct'ing miles of stop-banks along the variolas streams, and where erosion has been most prevalent along the river bank, is declared to be the only one practicable to deal with the problem of flooding. That this argument is sound, is evidenced by the beneficial results obtained before the undertaking has been fully completed RATEPAYERS ENLIGHTENED. With" the object of affording the' ratepayers concerned, by the scheme an opportunity of inspecting the work already completed, and now in pro-g-ress, members of the Makerua Drain age Board journeyed to Makerua, wjhere dredging is being carried on on a large scale. . The party, which met at 11 o'clock at Mr A:' Seiferf s mill, consisted of Trustees J. Ligginsi, (chairman) R. T Bell, H. Alters, R. L. Tippler, A. Se'ifert; the engineers, Messrs S. Jickell and Gilmour; and practically all of the ratepayers, to whom the undertaking Is of vital importance. After the Board members had transacted a little business, the party adjourned to lunch, where the chairman threw some light on. the scheme. He prefaced his remarks by extending the thanks of the Board to the ratepayers for the 'assistance given it during the time the protection work had been in progress. "There may have been a little friction between us from time to time," he said, "but still the Board is to be congratulated for carrying out this work without any compensation being asked for by the ratepayers." Th e scheme on which they were engaged, he explained, was one of great magnitude, and one of the largest ever taken up by a» private body in the Domininon, He proceeded to thank the Trustees for the support given him in connection with the undertaking, and congratulated them on the efficient manner in which they had carried out their duties. They were executing the complete banking of the Manawatu from floods, and he assured his with the backing of the that the work would stand any strain put upon it. "Pessimists say that it will be washed away by an 'Old Man* flood, but I say it never will." Little things would have, to bo watched, but, he said, that was natural with a great river like the Manawatu. The Board had so far completed 38 miles of banking on the •Manaiwatu, and in this connection he thanked Mr H. Akers and Mr Ross for granting their land for the work, Two thirds of the scheme had. been completed, and they would hav* money enough to finish the worj?. £62,000 of the loan money had been expended to date, and it would cost approximately £31,500 to complete the lindertaking.

Mr A, Seifert stated that his esti- \ mate of" the amount required for the completion of the "work was not as optimistic as that of others, but he assured those present that the work would go through with the resources -available, and the selling of the dredges. "I don't want you to think that we can put through that work and hav e several thousands to spare," he concluded TOUR OF INSPECTION

The party then left on a four hours' inspection of the t work in progress in connection with the scheme. The huge, dredge, which is engaged in banking th P , right side of the Tokomaru stream, was first visited. The plant was in full swing and the scoop was removing a yard-and-a-half of soil about every 35 seconds. Within a month the dredge has- mpved 7 miles along the stream, widening and banking it. The dredge will eventually join the main Tbkomaru drain; and proceed to Linton excavating the while. Tt Avill then return and bank the left side of the Tokomaru stream. Approximately SO miles of flood protection work has been completed, and also Al miles of the intersection channel Over two million yards of material have been removed from various drainage channels, and banked

The party also inspected Loiiffh nan's drain, where a flood gate lias

to be erected; banks already formed; the drag-line which is undergoing repairs at Shannon; and the bridge the Public Works Department is constructing over the Otarua stream. When the latter is completed it will enable tho Board to finish the lower section of its undertaking.

The party afterwards returned to Mr Seifert's mill, and during the course of afternoon tea, an oppor-

tunity was given ratepayers to ask . questions regarding the scheme,