MANAWATU RIVER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 229, 26 August 1935, Page 8

MANAWATU RIVER.

MEETING OF THE BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North River Board was held this morning, Mr A. E. Mansford presiding. Also present were Messrs G. Tremaine, J. T. J. Heatley, W. Anderson, W. R. Hopcroft, J. Batchelar, and J. Hodgens. The City Council advised that it had decided to take no action concerning a floodgate at the old racecourse.—Received. Mr D. Collis and family returned thanks for the board’s expression of sympathy in their recent bereavement. —Received. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The foreman of works (Mr A. Lane) reported as follows:—Fitzroy diversion channel: The repairing of No. 4 groyne is still being carried out when the conditions are suitable. Two spans are completed, leaving three more to finish the required lengtli. Below the new bridge: Steady progress is being made with the construction of the additional groyne authorised at this bend; four piles have been driven, leaving a further two piles yet to be driven. This work will be completed in the course of a day or so, and a commencement will be made with the placing ol the boom work. No. 5 scheme work: Ihe preparing of the holes and the removal of the lences on the foreshore below Gosling's west for the planting of pine trees are still in progress. This work can only be carried out when the conditions are suitable for the transport of these men across the river. The cutting of the old willows below the camp site to provide young growth lor future planting and repairing lences damaged by the recent floods has also been carried out by these men. The fusciniug of the bank affected by the recent floods below the tea kiosk at the Esplanade with heavy brush work is completed; the cost is £l4 Bs. The basework of a groyne at the lower end of Fitzroy diversion channel was rendered weak by the action of the recent floods, and is being checked bymeans of heavy brush work and ballast. The frequent occurrence of floods of late has kept most of the men engaged in cleaning the debris away from the groynes and in repairing fences. In consequence the groyne construction and other routine work were very much retarded. Several freshes have been recorded during the month, the highest being 12ft 6in on 7th instant. — Adopted. The sub-committee comprising Messrs Hodgens. Heatley, Anderson, and Hopcroft, which had decided on the erection of a groyne to prevent erosion at the Esplanade, was given power to mako a further inspection and, if considered necessary, to authorise the erection of another groyne. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £149 12s 7d. On April 1 the debit balance stood at £l6B 8s 5d Of the amount of £2230 in ratas struck, £965 5s had been paid, leaving £1264 15s outstanding. There was still £495 4s 5d of arrears outstanding. Accounts amounting to £lßl 10s 3d were passed for payment.