RIVER CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 17, 19 December 1927, Page 6

RIVER CONTROL

PALMERSTON NORTH BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. Mr A. J. Graham presided over the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North River Board held this morning, when there were also present: Messrs M. A. Eliott, J. Hodgens, ’J. Batchelar, W. Anderson and W. L. ' Fitzherbert. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The board’s engineer, Mi’ E. Fisher, presented his report for the past month as followsßemoval of shingle deposit in the river channel at FitzherDert bridge. Regarding the reported decision on this matter, according the Borough Council the right to remove shingle from this deposit, it is advisable to adopt a wholesale system of removal of this menace, thereby expediting its disposal, which is of paramount importance to the board, and it would, therefore, be in the best interests of the board to allow all the local shingle carters to operate, conditionally that each carter gives an undertaking to the borough engineer accepting equal responsibility in maintaining the access from the main road to -the beach in a good, usable condition, and that the engineer be empowered to impose the said condition. I will immediately define and peg off the shingle area for removal at present; future operations to be regulated, subject to the board’s directions and requirements, as is deemed advisable. Cresswell’s erosion: .This is the first section to be dealt with in connection with the extensive erosion, commonly known as Mcßae’s bend, being about 50 chains in extent, and is undoubtedly the most serious and difficult problem on the river to contend with, one in which skill and forethought need to be judiciously exercised in the application of the scheme to ensure success. The initial work on this erosion is the construction of No. 1 groyne which is in progress and should be completed within a fortnight. While the groynes are the essential factor of the scheme generally, still, the abnormal river conditions obtaining in relation to this particular erosion necessitate specific treatment, determined by close observation, with due regard to results already obtained. Being guided by tb.es© factors, I bave decided to modify certain details of the scheme, in plan only, with the object of increasing its efficiency and of ensuring its stability. The protection works at the foot of Albert Street are still in course of construction; progress is necessarily slow, having to transfer the labour required to proceed with the main works at Cresswell’s erosion, leaving only one man on the Albert Street job. The board’s finances will not at the present time permit of employing more labour, other than casual if urgently required. On the completion of this, I will attend to the work affecting Mr Petersen’s property as authorised. Several flood freshes occurred during the month; the highest recorded was 7 feet above summer level on November 29th. I suggest that the board’s staff cease work on the 24th inst. and resume on January 3rd for the holidays, and that such leave be granted on full pay. 1 desire to. pay a tribute to the board’s workmen for good services rendered in the past, which is amply reflected in the amount of work done for the year, a record most gratifying to myself and the board which I have much pleasure and appreciation in recording.” ' GENERAL. • After discussion of the shingle deposit, the following motion was carried That the board’s engineer, the borough engineer,, arid the Kairariga County Council’s engineer arrange the necessary details for the removal of the shingle. The staff were granted, the holidays suggested, together with full pay. On the motion of the. chairman, a vote of appreciation of the workmen’s services was accorded. Accounts totalling £lB2 2s Id were passed for payment.