CATCHMENT BOARD’S CONSERVATION WORK

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 15

CATCHMENT BOARD’S CONSERVATION WORK

Consideration of a report by a sub-committee of the North Canterbury Catchment Board on soil conservation operations has been deferred by the board until Its finance committee has considered the recommendations in the report.* The report was before the board on September 1. At a meeting of the board yesterday the following recommendation in the report of its finance and executive committee was adopted:—“Reports on soil conservation operations: After a discussion on the question of internal organisation of the board’s works and for better co-ordination it is recommended that the three senior members of the staff be directed to meet immediately after board meetings and from time to time as required, the secretary to act as convener. In the event of any difficulty arising at any such meeting the chairman of the board is to be advised immediately.” It was also recommended “that the sub-committee’s report on soil conservation operations be deferred until the finance and executive committee, with Mr H. E. Connor and Mr D. R. Wilkie present, has had an opportunity of considering the recommendations in the report. It is proposed to hold that meeting on October 25.” Waikuku Beach Restoration of the shingle bank at Cafe Bay, Waikuku, was approved, together with an experimental length of turfing. Mr H. M. Reid, the board’s chief engineer, said the turf was twitch.

Mr H. H. Petrie said there was land in crop in that area which he had not seen in crop before and parts were now under the plough. Mr F. L. Wright said that the planting of tamarisks at Cafe Bay should be considered. Mr Reid said inquiries were being made about tamarisks being available. Members were divided whether* the works should be subsidised. It was decided to proceed with the work and send a report to the Soil Conservation Council for the council to decide the question of payment for the work. “Appalling Erosion” He had been "appalled at the erosion in the stream bed,” said Mr Reid, reporting on a tributary of Bullock creek, Okuku. Mr J. M. Pickering, chairman of the soil conservation committee, said it was one of the worst problem areas in the board's district It was a mess. A recommendation in the report of the rivers con rol committee that the University of Canterbury be advised that the ooard was looking further into the problems in this area, was adopted. “The university council expressed the opinion that the scheme as outlined was inadequate and expressed concern that it did not provide for an adequate outfall," said the report. Part of the area affected by the stream is university land.

Accretion Opposed The board decided to oppose a claim for accretion affecting two sections adjoining Nottingham creek in a

Halswell subdivision. The grounds of the board’s opposition are that “the plan of the adjoining land describes the continuation of the land claimed as accretion as being subject to flooding, and with the extensive subdivision and building in the area the possibility of flooding will be increased.”