FLOOD CONTROL PLAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 225, 22 August 1945, Page 7

FLOOD CONTROL PLAN

OBJECTION TO LIABILITY. The Maiunvatu Catchment Board,' when it met yesterday, received from the Manawatu County Council a protest against any possibility of the council being charged with a share of the cost of tlio proposed new bridge across the diverted course of the Manawatu River near Shannon, envisaged in the board's plan for flood control. The board discussed the matter briefly, Mr S. W. Barber stating that the present bridge was still being paid for. The council, he said, did not wish to have to pay for a bridge which was not asked for.'

The chairman (Mr J. T. Hoatley) suggested that it was too early at this stage to discuss the subject fully, and in any case the allocation of the cost had not been investigated. The Soil Conservation Council ad-, vised that the board's scheme for control of the lower Manawatu River was heing investigated and a report would be presented to a subsequent meeting of the council.

The Palmerston North River Board advised that it did not oppose being absorbed by the Catchment Board provided an assurance was given that the Kivcr Board's protective works would he maintained in a satisfactory position. The Catchment Board is to write to the River Board expressing thanks for its co-operation and giving an assurance that the protective works will be maintained. In addition to the chairman and Mr Barber there were present Messrs H. R. Jensen, J. B. CaiTuthers, W. McKay, J. D. Aitchison, C. J. Hamblyn, T. A. Johnston, R. R. Bind, S. A. Darby and C. Forbes.

The Pahiatua County Council wrote seeking a subsidy on protective works on tlio Mangahao Stream, estimated to cost £450, at Marima. The board decided to recommend that the Soil Conservation Council grant a subsidy. The Manawatu Drainage Board and the Palmerston North City Council forwarded cheques for £225 and £375, respectively, as their contributions- to the cost of improvements to the Mangaone Stream, and both bodies are to bo thanked for their promptitude. A letter was received from the Foxton Beach Improvement and Leaseholders' Association asking that the board take over control of the Manawatu River right to its mouth. The matter was referred to the engineer (Mr D. J. llalley) to inspect the area and report to the board. PREVENTING EROSION.

The board's No. 3 works committee reported on an inspection of erosion and the site of a proposed cut on . the property of Mr J. G. Brechin, Mangamutu. It was recommended that further consideration of the making of the cut be deferred until tlio whole scheme had been surveyed, and that in the meantime protective works to the oxtent of £l5O or £2OO bo undertaken.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research forwarded a letter from the Native Flora Club, Levin, stating that concern was felt that an area of privatelyowned bush at tlio headwaters of the borough water supply undertaking was to be milled. Further information is io be sought about the exact location of the area.

The chairman reported on the recent field day at To Awa, and the meeting carried a motion commending the work of the Grasslands Division and particularly Mr E. Bruce Levy, the director (who was not present, but who was represented by Mr P. D. Scars). The report of the engineer stated that good progress was being inado by the contractor in improving the outlet of tho Mangaone Stream, and about half of the job had been completed. Attention had been given to erosion in the Otaki River, near Mr 11. B. Lethbl'idge's house. Plans had been submitted to the Public Works Department for a gully control dam and spillway at the Te Awa, the estimated cost being £365. Tho report recommended a £l for £1 subsidy for erosion control work in tho Pohangina River next Mr J. H. Macdonald's farm, tho whole being estimated to cost £4O. Bank protection work costing £54 had been carried out in the Pohangina River by Mr T. Lcamy, and a subsidy of £25 had been approved by the board. This work was a good example of what could bo done with tho co-operation of farmers. An inspection had been made the Mangaramarama Stream, in tho Pahiatua County, and it was recommended that the Pahiatua County Council be advised that tho flooding would be reduced considerably if willows were removed, and (hat the council had ample power to have tho work done.

Tho report dealt with an inspection of the Mangaore Stream, and, after a general discussion on the control of water therein, the board decided to write to tlio Manawatu-Oroua River Board asking the terms under which a sum of £4OO, with a £2 for £1 subsidy, was available for raising 25 chains of stop-banking there.