THE ORARI RIVER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2636, 22 March 1894, Page 3

THE ORARI RIVER.

At the last meeting of the Orari River Board Mr Guild brooght before the board’s notice an important matter, viz., the danger of the Orari river breaking out above the north protective work at a point beyond the board’s boundary. He also showed that if a heavy flood came, a junction would probably be made with the Waihi, and much damage done to property, fle even thoughtthatTemuka might be aflk'-ted if such a thing occurred. The exact spot where tips danger is imminent is a little to tfle north-west of the Orari racecourse. Below this the board have made protective works up to about the north-west corner of the racecourse, but beyond this for about 10 or 20 chains there is no protection, and the river has now eaten away any embankment that was there ; nothing remaining but the flat shingle bed. The river in time of flood therefore has an unimpeded course over the laud on the north-west side of the racecourse reserve. If we imagined a heavy flood, we would expect the water, after passing over the land mentioned, would flood over the Geral-dine-Orari coach road and from thence would And its way to the Waihi somewhere near Hawke’s. At this point, from below Hawke’s to the second bridge at Winchester, the Waihi in flood time usually overflows its banks and floods the Winchester-Geraldine road ; but with the help of the Orari prater at back it would be hard to say where the damage to property would end. This explains Mr Guild’s reference to the probability of Temnka being aflected by such a breakout of the Orari as described. Any person that visits the point where this overflow is likely to take place will see how imminent the danger is, and wo hope owners of property likely to be destroyed will agitato the matter and have steps taken to remove the danger at once. All that is wanted is an embankment to keep tile water from overflowing and willows planted to pi event the river from .scouring it out. The work could, no doubt bo done for less than £IOO, and on the principle of “a stitch in time saves nine,” it would bo money well spent, oven if property owners were put to »h« necessity of col l iocUny u uinony themsßlvuii.