RIVER TRUST.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18507, 8 October 1925, Page 6

RIVER TRUST.

THE RECENT FLOODS. ! Ths Waimakariri River Tnafc »** yes* terday morning, when there were present— Messrs J. Wood (chairman), J. Leslie, W. P. Spencer, A. Manhiro, J. H- Blackball, H. E. rcryman, F. J. Barrel], and K. O. Dixon. Schools' Afforestation. The secretary of tho Canterbury Education Board advised that tiie Board had under consideration a scheme-of afforestation to ho carried out in connexion with the primary echools of the district-. At its meeting of September 18th the question of providing a suitable area for the schools in the vicinity of Kaiapoi to operate on waa discussed, and it wag agreed to approach the Trust ■with o- view to obtaining the use of a block of land, about 60 ecrs3, for the purpose. I • The matter was referred? to tea Reserves Committee. The Government Audit Department returned the balance-sheet for the year ended March 3Ut, 1025, certified correct. In view of the coming election, it vas decided to hold tho nest monthly meeting on November Srd. Waimakarixi Works. Tho overseer (Mr Thomas Jeal) reported for the month of September that there had been three small floods and one large one in the "Waimakariri river. Tha large flood took place on September 23rd, rising 10 feet above norma! at Empire bridge, {his Deing the largest for eomo years. All tho groynes at the upper work on the south bank stood well, no repairs being required, but ba-d erosion eet in between No. 9 and No. 10 groynes. The Works Committee. had authorised another groyne to be pat in at that point, and the work had been started. Tho groyne below Empire bridge, adjoining 1 " Mr Lissard's property, had sunk down below water level and required build* ir.g up. Tho work would coat approsirna-te--I{7 £2OO. The scrub lacing 1 just below jfo l OW£r groyne at Stewart's Gully had been washed out, and much erosion had taken place. As the shingle cams further down the bed, tho current waa pushed out to the banks, which, being only of sand, were washed out, and the shingle was allo*e3 to stop. If the Trust intended holding the bank, something solid would have to g» in, such as the sinking of a largo mattress of scrub with concrete blocks. All the groynes on tho north bank were under great pressure, but stood up well. No. 8 groyn* suffered most, but was now being repaired with concrete blocks, and would have to be raised two feet. Tho utop-bank at Mr HaseaH'g property did not prove high enough during the flood, end the water, rushing over the bank, washed s. large hole in the bank. The Works Committee authorised" tho immediate repair of the damage. During the month £345 16a 93 had been spent tw No. 12 groyne* and good progress was being mado with the work; £lO4 Ss 3d had been spent on willow planting, £3 Us lid on scrub cutting, approximately £223 10s on 230 chains of fencing, £l4 6s 6d on protective work on Coutts's Island, £53 18g 6d on scrubbing the banks at Stewart's Gully, £24 3s 23 on water.race clearing, and £l4 10s Gd on grubbing on Lot 10 4 f - Eyre and Cast. The report on the Eyre river Gi&fect *h»fc tho river was in flood on three occasions during the month, but other than erosion no damage was done. The new work at "Wofherspoon's saved the flooding of Messrs Gibson'a and Henderson's property on all j occasions. The repairs to the rivsr round i Kaiapoi were being •earned out, and up to date had boat £SO 16e Bd. The Cusfc river was in fldoc! four times during the month, but tho water was not enough to go orer tho bant from Stoko downwards. The authorisations made by the "Works Committee wero endorsed, and the report was adopted. ..