EARLY MANAWATU

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 7, 8 December 1930, Page 9

EARLY MANAWATU

FORMATION TRACED.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

FOXTON, Dec. 5. Some interesting facte concerning the formation of the Manawatu district between Palmerston North and Foxton

were given to members of the Foxton , Lunch Club on Thursday by Mr R. Edwards, of Palmerston North. The vast Moutoa and Makerua swamps were at one time heavily timbered, said Mr Edwards. In the centre of the Moutoa

Estate, however, was a drained lagoon where the surface of a dead forest could be plainly seen. This forest was 13 feet below high flood level and the obsorver naturally asked how such a forest could have become submerged. Tho whole of the district from Palmerston North to Foxton was a groat deltoid flat. At ono time the ocean washed against the western flanks of the Tararua Ranges which were of primeval formation. The plain had been caused by the gradual settlement and consolidation of river deposits, the toe extending some three miles out

to sea and resting on the floor of tho ocean. Mr Edwards submitted a number of observations compiled in different parts of tho district. Mr Edwards was of the opinion that the timber did not grow at the level mentioned but was washed up on tho then sea shore in the same manner as it is to-day and with the passage of years buried. At Maxwell’s Lino in Palmerston North a submerged forest was plainly visible at a depth of 12 feet from the surface of the ground. The stratum at Palmerston North was an alluvium and differed from that at Foxton as it contained a large quantity of metal which had been brought through the Gorge The metal was left at Palmerston North and thq sand deposited at Foxton. Palmerston North’s water supply was better than that of Foxton because it was filtered through metal. Foxton’s was percolated through swamp and old vegetation and consequently not as pure nor was the pressure as good. Between Palmerston North and Foxton there existed a hard wall of compressed sand which tho water found difficult to penetrate and consequently gavo Palmerston North a good “head” when tapped. Referring to the rivers • along tho coast, Mr Edwards pointed out that they were all making south. In the last fifty years the Manawatu River had changed course a mile and a quarter in a southerly direction. The cause of this was due to the fact that the prevailing winds on this coast were from the southwest. These winds blew tho sand into the rivers which, contrary to expectation, had' the effect of causing the river to make south all the time. Another cause was the earth’s rotation.

At tho conclusion of his address Mr Edwards was accorded a vote of thanks.