THE WAIMAKARIRI

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 16

THE WAIMAKARIRI

* MEETING OF TRUST The commissioners of the Waimakariri River Trust met yesterday. There were present: Messrs J. H. Blackwell (chairman). A. Manhire, W. "P. Spencer, H. Holland, M.P., George Gould, F. W. Freeman, R. O. Dixon, J. Leslie, H. E. Evans, and Professor R. Speight. The engineer (Mr H. W. Harris) reported that the Styx floodgates and bridge had been completed and the bridge could be opened for general traffic as soon as the Waimairi County Council completed the shingling of the approaches. The floodgates had been tested out against a full tide, and were found entirely satisfactory. They could now be put into general operation as floodgates, there being no obligation by the trust to operate them on every tide. Three piles had been driven at Kainga for stabilising the water pipes leading from the well in the river bed. Pipes had been temporarily connected up, and would be completed as soon as he had men available to do the work.

Temporary repairs had been effected to the damaged stopbank at the head of Coutts Island. These consisted of the erection of an additional loop ol' bank behind the old one, and the facing of the old bank v/ith manuka fascines. The gabion dumps had also been strengthened to give additional temporary protection pending the construction of the groyne. Temporary repair works were being carried out "to the groyne work at Eyreton. This had been facilitated by the low flow experienced during the last three A statement of rates placed before the trust showed that arrears at April 1 amounted to £7722 16s Bd. The estimated rates for 1934-35 were £18,208 6s 6d, the payments totalled £3420 14s 4d and the rates outstanding at October 31 amounted to £22,510 8s lOd. The engineer was instructed to inspect a number of draglines, and to report on propositions regarding them to a special meeting of the trust.