A SHRUNKEN RIVER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 43, 18 January 1935, Page 6

A SHRUNKEN RIVER

MANAWATU’S LOW LEVEL. CONGESTION BY SHINGLE. N,ot for twenty-one years lias the Manawatu River been as low as at present, according to Air E. Fisher, advisory GHginGcr to tlio 1 lunvorston North River Board, who recounted past conditions and contrasted them with the present in an interview to-day. Iho river is at present running at six inches below normal summer level, and has been at this low volume for some time, with the exception of the fresh immediately following the New Year holiday. , , , Rock faces which have never been reached by daylight for years have been exposed in the Manawatu Gorge, ''hero the river has shrunk to a remarkable degree. Big beds of shingle have appeared in the lower reaches, and mamlogs and snags have been revealed. Thinned down to about one-fourth or its normal winter proportions, the river in places pursues a snaggy course over its wide stony bed. Al certain points it is now little moie than a moderate sized stream. AJore than showing the configuration the the river bed, the present small volume of water lias revealed the congestion which has taken place since the last maximum flood in August, 1932. The reporter was informed by Mr Fisher that there had not been sufficient hydraulic pressure to carry the shingle along, with the result that it had accumulated at certain angular points, filling up the bed. The Fitzroy bend diversion channel appeared to be developing satisfactorily, but was still in the transitional stage, owing to the fact that for well over two years the Manawatu River had not carried a heavy flood. SHORTAGE OF WATER. Palmerston North and district is now experiencing an unprecedented period of dry weather and high temperatures, with but very occasional relief from these conditions, though it is not alone in this respect. Alost parts of the Dominion are suffering similarly. Nearly two inches of rain fell here at the beginning of the year, relieving what was developing into a very serious plight for farmers on account of the shortage of water, but the subsequent period of dry, hot weather has largely nullified the beneficial effects obtained. The milk yield is now declining rapidly, not so much on account of the scarcity of feed, as of deficiency in its quality. Like the dairying herds, fat stock have suffered, the season having proved to be an unfavourable one in this respect. . During the dry weather since Christmas the Manawatu County Council has been carting water from the Rangitikei River for settlers in that district, owing to severely depleted supplies. This is still being done, sometimes to the extent of 5000 gallons daily, distribution being effected from a large tank mounted on a lorry. There is half an inch of overflow through the by-wash at the Tiritea reservoir, from which the city’s gravitation supply is drawn. The level has not been so low since. February, 1932. AVlien the water gets below the lip of the by-wash it is a danger sign, as it means that the reserve supplies are then being drawn upon. However, it is not anticipated that this stage will be reached, for whatever the draw-off during the day, the position is eased at 11Ight ' GRAIN AND CROPS. Because of the dry weather, haymaking this year has been carried out much earlier than usual, and most of the hay was in the stack before Christ mas, a farmer said to-day. Crops did not come up to expectations, but the quality has been found to be good. Alore'than half of the 1600 acres of certified ryegrass in tiie Manawatu district has already been threshed for seed, which is in the store. Here, again, the yield is lighter, but the quality g °lf"has been an extremely favourable season for maize, millet and peas. AYithin six weeks of having been sown, one heavy crop of millet is being utilised with splendid lesults. AY heat has been saved in better condition,, though yields per acre will be down, it is reported. The latter is due to the fact that the crops did not receive rain when it was required to fill out the grain. , , , ■, Boot crops, on the whole, are quite satisfactory, but with a continuation of the prevailing dry conditions they will be affected detrimentally.