The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1903. THE LATE STORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 126, 29 May 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1903. THE LATE STORM.

The recent storm should show th'e ncc3f sity of the Barough Council going very carefully over their public worksscheme so as to secure provision being made for such a downpour as we are now experiencing. The provision for storm water in New Plymcutb, and the rethartr applies to a great extent throughout the Proviccial District, is seilly only sufficient for the average requirements, the consequence is, that, whenever a storm of more than average severity occurs, damage is done in al directions. It is argued that these.exceptional storms occur 60 infrequently, ■hat the expense of providing agains them is not warranted. We diffei entirely with this principle, and have co hesitation in saying that mor. damage is dooe in o.e waek, such ascitis last oqp, than would pay interest on the cost of making provision against such a downpour for 10 to 15 years The same remark applies to alt our public works, both local and geaeral. An instance of this is seen in the concrete passage provided for the Huatoki stream through the railway rcclama ' tion. When this work was being done the railway authorities were strongly advised to concrete the bed of the streim, for the length through the, concrete walls; but they refuseed to be advised, the result is that the terrible rush of water during the high flood of Wednesday Dight scoured out the bad I of the creek, and the walls bung under-

mined they gave way, doing damage that will cost ten times that of concreting the bad of the stream. Another question has been brought into prominence, namely, the wisdom of diverting the Mangotuku Stream, at Qusenstreet or even further up. The flooded state of nil the sections from tha town belt to Queen-street wis bad enough, but the state of affairs at Mr Paul's Brewery and from Egmont-strest to the outlet into the Huatoki was such that a repetition of it should never be permitted. It must be remembered also that as time gceo on and the West End of the town becomes more improved, streets, etc., completed, and the vacant sections built upcm, the storm water will find its way into the strc-am more quickly and in larger quantities and floods will become more frequent. There is no doubt also that the iorush of such a large quantity of water as comes down the Mangotuku has a very j injurious effect on the Huatoki and by the added volume and its coming io. at j right angles as it does it helps largely to flood the vicinity. The Mangotuku also is dammed back to some extent by the Huatoki bsing dammed back during flood tides, We have always favoured the diversion of this stream and we fed that the condition of things along the route of that stream quite justifies the Borough Council in reconsidering their position. It is possible a'so after the expert nee the Railway has had that they might be induced to share in the Co3t of the div rsion iF approached by the borough authjri.ies in the matter. I