RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 253, 25 September 1939, Page 2

RIVER BOARD.

PROTECTIVE WORKS. STATEMENT OF RATES. The Palmerston North River Board met to-day, Trustee A. E. Manslord presiding. Also present were: Trustees AY. R. Hopcroft, J. Batchelar, J. T. J. Heatley, W. Mouldey, and AV. Anderson. The Kairanga County Council advised that, so far as river erosion at Stuart’s Bend was concerned, the council’s views, after an inspection of the locality, and what steps it was prepared to take to deal with the position, would be detailed to the board. Mr A. R. Palmer. AA’hakarongo Road, advised the board that he was prepared to meet his share (approximately £SO) toward erecting protective works along the river bank on his property. Authority was given to construct a complete concrete groyne opposite Albert Street. An eslimat Q of the'cost of the construction of further material for similar groynes is to be presented at the next meeting of the board.

A statement, of the finances showed that, the bn"rd had a credit balance of £827 7s 4d. Receipts to to-dav totalled £2870 Os 3d and expenditure £2148 2s fid; unnres'ented cheques totalled £lO5 Os Gd. The rates statement showed that of the £3025 IGs 10d struck, collections to date amounted to £1605 5s 7d, leaving £1420 11s 3d oiPstandinq. Arrears of rHes as at April 1. 1939, totalled £216 Is 51; payments to ' dale were £69 10s sd, leaving £176 11s outstanding. FOREMAN’S REPORT.

The foreman (Air A. Lane) reported as follows:—“Since the recent high flood, practically all the staff has been engaged in willow planting and repairing several ndnor breaches which occurred in the willow banks at various points, after the river receded to a low level. At Mcßae’s Bend, approximately five chains below the groyne under construction, a subsidence of the lower porlion of the willow bank occurred, the affected area being two chains in length. The ero sion is being checked by means of two brush groynes ballasted with stone crates. One groyne will he constructed immediately above the weakness and the second one half-way along the affected area. The necessary trees are being supplied by Air Barns. The stop-bank on Air Cresswell’s property adjoining Alcßae’s Bend has been repaired. Adjoining Massey College immediately above tile willow plantation, noticeable erosion has been taking place along the low river bank leading to the overflow channel. The affected area has been heavily faseined and crated, and willows planted where necessary. At Anderson’s Bond, at a point below Air Anderson’s house, similar work has been carried out. Several areas of willows have been planted and layered. Thus work is well advanced, but much more planting remains to be done on the low levels of the foreshores.”