SETTLERS’ DESIRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22617, 21 April 1948, Page 4

SETTLERS’ DESIRE

WILLOW _CLEARING AUTUMN CONTINUANCE WORK-CONTRACT BASIS THE interest of Waihora Valley settlers, Waikohu County, in the willow-clearing work undertaken by the P.B. Catchment t Board during the past summer has resulted in an arrangement unique in the experience of the board. Iu view of the break in the weather last week, the board’s engineer, Mr. A. D. Todd, had proposed lo suspend the work, but following an approach by both settlers and workmen, it was agreed lhat the scheme be carried on on a work-contract basis at the average cost per chain established during the summer weather. This vas reported to yesterday’s meeting cf the board by the engineer, who stated that during the past week water levels had been too high to permit thorough clearance of willows In the stream bed, while horses snigging trees up the steep banks had found the surface difficult to handle. Board Committed for 10 Years His own intention had been to close down the job before unit costs rose too high, said Mr. Todd, but on representations from the settlers and workmen he had entered into the arrangement outlined above. The arrangement would obviate iny risk to the board of costs rising, while the men themselves were protected as they had other work for intervals when the river was not workable. / The cost of the work to date was £320, representing 16 per cent of the total provided, and for this sum 45 per cent of the work contemplated- had been carried out. If the unit costs could be maintained at the average to date a greater length than the 3£ miles of willow clearance originally provided for could be undertaken, added Mr. Todd. A fresh which developed in the river last Sunday had been observed, and it was found in the cleared section of the stream velocity of-flow was 2ft. per second greater than in the uncleared section.