RIVER BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 7 December 1937, Page 11

RIVER BOARD

SUBSIDISED WAGES QUESTION.

MATTER SETTLED

The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North River Board was held yesterday, the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presiding. Also present were Messrs J. Hodgens, M.P., J- T. J. Heatley, G. Tremaine, Jos. Batchelar and W. Anderson. Leave of absence was granted to Mr W. R. Hopcroft.

A number of men working for the board under the subsidised scheme petitioned for a cycle allowance as they were often working outside the city area.—lt was decided to grant 6d per day allowance on occasions when the worker is outside the city.

Mr Hodgens mentioned that at the last meeting of the board he had brought up the matter of the wages paid to the subsidised men. At that time the men were receiving £3 19s 9d net, and a sub-committee had been set up to go into the matter. He now found that the men were paid £4 net, which represented an increase of 3d. ‘Surely,” said Mr Hodgens, ‘that was not the intention of the eoihmittee.”

The Mayor said he had certainly misunderstood the position. He moved that the men be paid £4 2s 6d net, the board to pay the unemployment tax and the payment being retrospective to the commencement of the scheme. This was carried.

FOREMAN’S REPORT,

The foreman (Mr A. Lane) reported as follows:—Anderson’s Bend: The extension on the base of No. 1 groyne has been completed to a length of 60ft., the cost being £75. The driving of the balance of the stay piles and fitting of the stays for the completion of the first new groyne at this bend has been carried out. The total length is 165 ft. and the cost £230. This work was held over at the time owing to shortage of piles on hand. Gosling’s West: The constructing of the new regulation groyne above No. 1 groyne is completed; the length 85ft. and cost £lls. On completion of the groyne the plant proceeded downstream to Fitzroy bend to commence driving the piles for the extension on the outer portion of No. 5 groyne. The length of the new work is approximately 60ft. Stuart’s bend: As authorised, the layering of approximately 30 chains of willow plantation and planting where necessary is completed. Pederson's foreshore : All the willow work in connection with the planting of the overflow channel and the fencing of this area has been completed; in addition a belt of willows has been planted on the upstream side of the overflow channel to help as a break during flood time. Gosling’s east, below Anderson’s bend: An accretion approximately 10 chains long by two chains between Jickell’s groyne and No. 1 groynes has been planted with willows and the necessary fencing carried out. During the month several chains of fences, have been repaired and the groynes cleared of debris.

ENNGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer (Mr E. Fisher) reported: —The construction of the authorised programme of new groyne works, including extensions, is well advanced. To date 460 lineal feet have been completed, comprising two groynes and two extensions at Anderson’s bend and one groyne at Gosling’s bend west, leaving two groynes at Cresswell’s and two extensions, one at Fitzroy and the other at the old racecourse yet to

be constructed to complete the programme. The actual cost of these works is well within the estimate. There is a considerable amount of groyne repair work required throughout the system in connection with the replacement of ' booms that were broken by flood action, and it is intended to make reparation of these defects before the next flood season; The low river conditions that prevailed during the willow planting season have enabled the lower reclamations produced by the groynes to be fully planted out, thereby facilitating and consolidating the work of tlie groynes. In this respect full advantage was taken of the No. 13 scheme of subsidised labour. This year's weather and river conditions have been particularly favourable for abundant , willow growth, being a most satisfactory feature in contributing to the efficiency of the whole system of protection works. The orderly conditioning by layering of all the forward willow protections has been effected, thus providing added security to the river banks. The development of the exotic tree plantations is very pleasing indeed, and I consider the board would be well advised to add to these plantations annually with the object of establishing a continuous belt on both hanks of the river throughout the district. They certainly constitute a very important part and servo a major purpose in consolidating tlje .river bank protection works, besides providing a material supply for the construction of works if required. I consider the near future would be an ideal time for the board to make its \ annflnl inspection, as I feel sure it j would be very pleasing and interesting, to view the very satisfactory condition of the river channel and works. Regarding Mr Richardson’s application, granted by the board, for ..the right to remove shingle from the Golf Club beach, as yet no action by him has resulted. I desire to pay a tribute to the board’s works staff for their loyal and efficient service to the board at all times in the very satisfactory performance of their duties which reflects much credit on them and satisfaction to the hoax’dMr Fisher suggested that the settlers be approached with a view to securing their co-operation in extending the protective plantation area. The scheme was approved for next year and the matter is to come up again at the March meeting. Mr Heatley thought that not sufficient attention was given to the removal of obstructions from the river. Not only was such work necessary, but often much valuable timber could be obtained, which might bo a source ot revenue for the board. Tho engineer said that this work was receiving attention at the present time. Tho financial statement revealed a credit balance of £167 15s 4d. Rates struck totalled £2803 5s 7d, and of this' sum £IBBB Os 7d had been paid, leaving £975 5s outstanding. The arrears in hates as at April 1, 1937, wefb £327 14s Id, of which £I3G. 11s lid had been paid to date. At the conclusion of tho business the chairpian wished members, tlie compliments Of the season- gild the , good wishes were reciprocated. '