MANAWATU RIVER SCHEME

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1705, 20 December 1919, Page 3

MANAWATU RIVER SCHEME

PROPOSED EMBANKMENT SYSTEM V*• ! . {

! A lill.l UNDERTAKING

A meeting was field last night ■ of tin landowners of Hie Rangiotu side of tin Manawntu river in comiedioii with tin proposed Hood protection scheihe, wliieli ibeing carried out by tlio land owners on. tli Makrrna side of the river. About 2( settlers were present and Mr P; Baldwin presided, Messrs 11. Akers and A. Seifert representing those of the Makerua side and also Mr Jickcfl, C.E., wore present by invitation.

Mr Akers was called upon by tbe chairman to explain wind was projiosed to be carried out over the river. Mr Akers ex plained that the people on the .opposite .side of the river had formed themselves into a “ banking" association to work for their ipntuni benelit to bank the river. He pointed out that what they were likely to do would probably throw the river water over In the Rangiotu side and it was for the lapd-holders on the Rangiotu side to decide' what they were to do as far as hanking was concerned. Passing on, lie stated that ilio land affected by floods was valuable, and the expense of banking oil the riycr to make (bis land immune from flood waters was well worth the cost. Mr Akers went on to say that, his idea, was that the ratepayers on tiie Rangiotu side should do the same as was being earned out on tbe opposite side of the river and the district. With the aid of a plan of the affected area, Mr Akers discoursed on the various aspects of the scheme. Ho mentioned that several projecting points in the liver would have to be straightened. Mr Jickell pointed out various schemes set up by a Government Commission in 1907. These schemes were shown on a map he produced. Mr Jickell also road extracts from the. Commission's report. He said that these schemes took the form of “cuts” whereby the river would be straightened and the channel shortened. In reply to a question asked by Mr W. Pearce, the speaker said that he did not think that one of the Commission’s suggestions for a “cut ” from Moiitoa school to the rope works lower down the river would altogether meet the case, as protective works'would have to lie erected in certain places. In reply to another question, Mr Jickell said that the Commission’s proposals would not altogether alleviate the upper reaches of the river. He went on to say that the average depth of the batik would. b° from 6ft. flin. to 7ft. His proposals included that drains already existing should be deepened, widened and improved. The land in the vicinity of the river would bo considerably increased in value. Mr A, Seifert then briefly addressed the meeting a.nd outlined the methods employed in river protection work in California, and the various types of dredges used in America. He said that in America they had so perfected their machinery for excavation and such like work that undertakings of this class could be done (hr half what they would cost in New Zealand. He instanced how material help would be given to the district by the materialisation of the comprehensive scheme it was proposed to carry out. Mr Akers then drew attention to the fact- that he thought tlio lagoons stretching from Jackeytown were becoming silted up. Mr McEwcn said ho understood that the lagoons marked the old course of tho river. He thought that by electing stop banks on the other side of tho river, as proposed in Mr Akers’ scheme, the river might be thrown back into the lagoons, and this would’ entail a considerable loss of valuable hind. At the same time, he considered that the banking scheme was good as far a,s it went, but the people did not seem to look far enough ahead. He drew attention to the agitation that wa.s at present going on for the canal at Foxton. This agitation would in time become so marked that some system of river transport would have to b« afforded. In his opinion, if the banks were erected on both sides of the river, it was only a question of time when they would have to be enlarged. He would like to see a more comprehensive scheme, having regard for the position in years to come. The people should start by making something of a more permanent nature. They should have a more representative meeting than there was present that evening, before .thev could decide w liat to do.

Tiio chairman, agreed with this view. Ho said that he felt that a more representative gathering - should be held to formulate a comprehensive scheme. Mr Ross moved that the meeting be adjourned, and that another mooting be bold in Fox ton on January 9, at 11 o’clock. This was seconded by Mr 11. Gower and carried. Votes of thank's to Messrs Akers, Seifert, Jiekelj, Baldwin and McKwcn were carried.