RIVER CLEANING.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18669, 19 April 1926, Page 4

RIVER CLEANING.

GREAT GROWTH OF WILLOWS. GERALDINE COUNTY'S WORK IN ORARI. At the invitation of tho Gcrakline County Council, members of the Ashburton Council, together with the 1 County Engineer (Mr A. A. Fooks), I the Assistant Engineer, (Mr A. H. j Vezey) and the bridge foreman (Mr ' Phil Norman) journeyed to Orari, via ■ the Upper Ilangitata Bridgo and Gerali dine, to witrjess the work the Geraldine | County River Board has in hand in ! solving the problem of how best to clear rivers of willows. A year ago tho Orari River for o distance of twelve miles from Orari to the sea and nearly the whole width of I the stream was a dense forest of willowb and other tree growth. So grave I had the danger become that the Geraldine County realised that Something on a big scale would have to be done to clear the river of the obstructions. Accordingly, a loan of £5500 was raised to deal with a length of 103 miles from the junction at the Ohape Creek upwards to 35 chains above Victoria Bridge on the Main South road, the object being to clear the central channel of the willow growth and to bank up the margin of the river in places where the river had overflowed. An arrangement was entered into with Mr Murray, who has had many years' experience in dredging on the Otago rivers, and with a committee of settlers, of whom Mr J. G. Barry, of Clandeboye, was chairman, the work of pulling out the willows was commenced under the direction of the Geraldine County Engineer, Mr Bremner. The work was commenced on July 30th, 1925, and will probably l>e completed by the end of next month, excepting a short length of banking up, which will have to he done at the upper end of the river. Work In Orari Riverbed. When the members of the Asliburton Council arrived at the scene of operations they were welcomed by the Geraldine Council, with ita engineer, and also Mr Black, the Levels County Engineer. Two traction engines, with a big gang of men, were at work, and it was a revelation to witness with what comparative ease great clumps of willow trees, some of which had been growing in the riverbed for fully 40 years, were gradually dragged out by the roots, fn one instance, with a duplication pi the cables arid blocks and tackle, a 150 ton attain was put on to one big clump ivith a huge root growth. The mass of willow «lowly came away, was torn out by the roots, and hauled slowly from its 40-year-old bed. A highly satisfactory job is being made and for about nine and a halt miles from the sea upwards the river la completely clear of all willow or other growth, whereas a year ago it Was a dangerous wilderness of tail trees. Them is now about another two and a half miles to be done to complete the whole job. Ashburton's Problems. The. Ashburton County Council is faced with a big problem in respect to the obstructions in both the Ashburton and Hinds rivers, and the main object of the visit to the Orari River was to see what had been done by the Geraldine Council. Willows and other growth have from time to time been cleared out of portions of the Ashburton River, but the growth is now so dense in many places that if something is not done at a comparatively early date there is a danger of the river entirely changing its course.in certain places. After witnessing Operations the party returned to Orari and were entertained at afternoon tea by the members of the Gefaldine Council. Mr W. G. Gallagher, chairman of the Ashburton Council took the opportunity of thanking the Geraldine Council for their hospitality and for the great object lesson which had been demonstrated that day. Ashburton was faced with a similar problem, and* what had been accomplished in tho Orari River would be of great value to bis Council. Colonel McKenzie, on behalf of the Geraldine Council, in reply, said that it had been a great pleasure to see the Ashburton County members present, and his Council would be only too glad to supply any information it had. Alt data had been carefully kept, and it would be available. The Geraldine Council expected to finish its work in cleaning the Orari River for a less sum than the 45500, and then it would have the Opihi River to deal with.