FLOOD PROTECTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1939, Page 9

FLOOD PROTECTION

REPAIR OF THE KAHUTARA STOPBANK FEATHERSTON COUNTY DECISION REVERSED. UNDER HIGHWAYS BOARD PRESSURE. (“Times-Age” Special.) At its meeting in February, the Featherston County Council decided that it would not accept any liability with regard to the repair of the Kahutara stopbank. Yesterday, however, the council reversed its decision and decided to contribute £5O towards the total cost of £4OO. A letter from the Main Highways Board stated: “The board is very surprised indeed to learn of your council’s attitude. The only reason why the board itself is disposed towards making any contribution is because if the stopbank becomes destroyed the consequences to the highway will be serious, not only from the point of view of traffic interruptions but of financial loss arising from the necessity to repair the highway. > “In the event of such happening, your council would naturally be the body whose duty it .would be to reinstate the highway, and it would then have to' find one quarter of the cost. If there is justification for the Highways Board making some contribution towards the repair of the stopbank, the same condition applies to the county council. In fact it applies to a greater degree, because this highway is more in the nature of a settlement road than otherwise. The county council as the authority directly controlling the highway, therefore has a definite responsibility. If the Highways Board is prepared to . assume responsibility for £l5O of the cost of the stopbank repairs, surely the copnty council could contribute another £5O in view of the benefits that .would accrue. “If your council does not see its way as a roading authority to contribute towards the stopbank, then there is no reason why the Highways Board should assume any obligation in respect of the roading benefits. The fact that a contribution is made in this case would not necessarily involve the council in a similar liability for future works, and of this fact your council should be well aware.”

The council was asked to reconsider its previous decision not to contribute towards the cost of the repairs.

Councillor J. C. Bidwill said that if the stopbank broke and was not repaired great inconvenience would be caused to the travelling public. If the lake rose four feet it was up to the level of the road, which at times was blocked for as long as three weeks., Councillor R. W. Matthews said they had thrashed the matter out at the last meeting and decided they could not accept any liability. The chairman, Mr A. B. Martin: “Ir we contribute now we will have to as long as the bank is there. Accepting liability for £5O now might mean a £5,000 contribution later on.” Councillor Bidwill said there was no question but that the stopbank was of benefit to the highway. It was eventually decided that the council contribute £5O without accepting any liability for future work.