EROSION CHECKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22588, 17 March 1948, Page 6

EROSION CHECKS

MAJOR PROBLEMS

EXPERIMENTAL WORK

FREE GRANTS REQUIRED

The advisability of proceeding with maximum speed with certain experimental works on properties where the land-owners could not be expected to contribute substantially to the cost was urged upon the P.B. Catchment Board at its monthly meeting yesterday by the engineer, Mr. A- D. Todd. The engineer exemplified the experimental works under this heading as under:—

Te Weraroa Gullies, YVaipaoa Valley “The largest gullies in the district concentrated in a relatively small area in the catchment of the Weraroa Stream require special consideration on account of their large size and because of the remarkable extent to which their debris is affecting the river channels downstream. Methods of control are in the trial stage and it would be desirable in the meantime not to seek contributions from property owners. “It is proposed to carry on with control work on the eight gullies on which work was initiated last year and to concentrate on achieving the maximum possible rate of raising gully bottom levels by intercepting the maximum amount of debris in netting and brush dams. “In addition, it is proposed to experiment in the Weraroa Stream to find means by which the vast amount of debris already lodged in the valley may be held. The estimated cost is £ISOO. Gullies on Mr. M. O’Sullivan’s Property, Ruatoria “Work costing £455 was carried out here last year on a £3 for £1 basis. The work consisted of gully control in the usual sense, together with measures for the control and reclamation of an aggrading valley bottom, while control of the section of the stream running over a fan and liable to troublesome diversion to either side still required attention. “In order to obtain results quickly, it ; s recommended that the work be carried on as fast as the natural movement of bed load will permit, and if this were done expenditure this year would be greater than the farmer could finance under £3 for £1 subsidy. The estimated cost of the work is £BOO.

Gullies on Mr. 11. Stevens’ Property, Iliungia Road

Deeply cut gullies render the hillsides so unstable as to cause widespread slumping and earthfiow movement. The method of control which at present shows most promise consists of placing debris dams at close centres on a gradient of 1 in 3 to obtain such large depths of gully filling that the stability of adjoining hillsides is restored. It is recommended that initial work done under subsidy be carried on at maximum speed .without further cost to the farmer. The estimated cost is £600."

The report was adopted and steps were taken to place the engineer’s recommendation for free grants before the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council.