RIVER CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 6, 7 December 1931, Page 6

RIVER CONTROL

PALMERSTON NORTH BOARD. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The monthlv meeting of the PaL | merston North Rl ' e *. Mavor presid- ’ this morning when the Ala F ed. Others present N , herbert Batchelar, Hocigens, v j ctoh, Anderson and The engineer tWrilowi S 3ESM? M ! tS'ttapSto pSt'ortonwlk, enabling good progress to be with The construction of the toun tion work of No. 3 channel regulation grovne and have also facilitated the work of obtaining logs from the river channel to provide timber required i the construction of this sro5 ro - v P ' bwn major course of twelve piles have been driven, providing for a groyneor D/J feet in length, representing tbej oinal portion, witn 111 foot d . tensioiTof minor work to iand makmg a total length of 411 feet The work of driving two courses of porting piles and connecting the courses of piles with braces is in hand. j No. 1 plant is engaged on , thxs I No 2 plant is engaged on the w £rh ol i hauling logs from the river channel , and splitting them to a smrabie size to, provide the horizontal members for] this grovne and also for the extension . of No. 2 groyne. The total number required is 142 pieces, of , greater pari has been procured. T | Togs provide excellent timber for tne j purpose required at an economic cost. ; On completion of this work -o. , plant will transport this timber to the grovne site, and then the two P la j will co-operate and so expedite the, grovne constructional work. , j groyne and extension when completed , finalise a verv important link in tne ; installation of the chain of channel regulations works designed and ap- i plied not only for the immediate de-, velopment and stabilisation of this particular part of the river channel (though it represents an essential ; unit) “but- also provide complete coordination of a general scheme of channel regulation works (witlr the object of the establishment of a definitej ly improved river channel which I am convinced provides the only practical solution of the erosion problem) extending from Mr Anderson’s to the Fitzherbert bridge. I regard future results and the ultimate success of the i scheme with complete confidence. It lis intended to extend the sphere of operations to the old racecourse this summer, and it is hoped at l?ast to construct two groynes in order to obviate any material development of the erosion there as a result of next winter’s floods. Willow planting: Four No. 5 men have been engaged on this work during the past month and also ! in erecting fences for the protection Sof the new willow plantations from ' stock. These four men can still be i usefully employed, as there remains ! more willow planting to be done, i and also other necessary work. Hopcroft’s Creek. —Concerning __ the work done last winter with No. 5 labour at the mouth of this creek with the object of improving its angle of discharge to the river tor the purpose 'of facilitating the river channel im- , provement scheme of works: While ; the work done has proved quite satis- ! factory, it is now necessary to remove certain obstructions, acting adversely. : in order to restore normal efficiency. T ' recommend that the work required be done, and that the four No. 5 men j still in the hoard’s employ be engaged [on this work. General. —On November ! 3 a flood rise of 8 feet above summer level was recorded; subsequently the level receded to 7 inches above summer level on the 20th inst., which is unprecedented on the river level records for the month of November. On the 21st a sudden and unexpected flood rise of 6 feet 4 inches above summer level was recorded, which however receded rapidly to normal. The gauge reading on December 3 was 14 inches above summer level. The late rainfall and flood rise were timely in saving the life of the new willow plantations on the higher levels as they were adversely affected by the protracted spell of dry weather. Generally the growth of the willows this season is most satisfactory. The greater part of an accumulation of logs in the river channel that were menacing the protection works has been removed.” —Adopted. GENERAL. The financial statement disclosed that the bank balance was £732 12s 3d. At November 2 the rates outstanding stood at £2536 4s Sd. The estimated expenditure on work to March 31, 1932, was £950. Mr J. R. Hardie was appointed secretarv to the board (lie Mr W. Newlands) subject to the -Act permitting the appointment.The North Rakaia River Board wrote seeking support in a movement pressing for travelling allowances being made to members. —It was decided to support the request.