RIVER CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 255, 25 September 1933, Page 8

RIVER CONTROL

MANAWATU BOARD MEETING. The Palmerston North lliver Board met to-day, Mr A. E. Mansiord (the Mayor) presiding. The other trustees present were Messrs J. Hodgens, Jos. Batehelar, W. It. Hopcrolt, Ft. L. (J. Aitelnson and W. Anuerson.

The report of the foreman (Mr A. Lane) was adopted as follows: —“McRae’s Bend: No. 9 regulation groyne is completed. The total length is 50ft. and the cost £52 Os 9d; the cost per foot being £1 Os lOd. The work of driving the stay piles for strengthening No. 8 groyne is in progress: all the timber required to complete this work is . deposited on the site. Owing to the depth of water around this groyne it is essential to have this extra row of piles. Above Child Bros.’ works: No. 2 regulation groyne is completed, the total length being 100 ft. and the cost £lll 14s; the cost per foot is £1 2s 4d. Relief work: An average of 16 men per week have been employed during the last month, chiefly on willow planting. The planting is on the following foreshores: Mcßae’s Bend, about 40 chains; Fenwick's, 10 chains; Watt’s, 5 chains. The balance of trees held over from last month lias been planted on Mr Watt’s property and the necessary fencing for the protection of the trees is completed. The forming of a stop-bank at Mr Gosling’s Bend east has been completed, the total length being 0 chains and the cost £l6 17s 6d. This work has been done entirely by No. 5 labour. General: On completion of the groyne above Child Bros.’ works, No. 2 plant has proceeded upstream to Mcßae’s Bend, and has commenced hauling the timber from the river for the necessary work at this point. This work will be completed in the course of a day or so and the plant will then proceed upstream to Gosling’s Bend east, to commence hauling the necessary timber from the river for groynes at this site. So far a good percentage of the trees planted on the foreshores are in an excellent condition. Owing to the good weather and river conditions during the past month, splendid progress has been made with groyne construction and willow planting. The highest fresh recorded was sft. above summer level, on September 20.” • The report of tho clerk (Mr J. R Hardie) stated that the rates struck had been £2255 and payments to date £989 8s 3d, leaving £1265 11s 9d outstanding. The arrears amounted to £634 7s 9d at April 1, 1933, and £l7l Is 4d had been paid off the amount since then, leaving £463 6s 5d outstanding The chairman reported that as far as the shifting of the board’s plant up or down the river was concerned, the Fitzherbert bridge would be open until the end of November. The board decided that work at Mcßae’s Bend and Gosling’s Bend should be completed before the plant is shifted to attend to any work below the bridge. On the motion of Mr Aitchison, seconded by Mr Hopcroft, it was decided that” the present arrangement for the payment of a royalty of 6d a yard for the removal of shingle from the river by any person or authority should be renewed