Complaint About River Gauge Readings

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 6

Complaint About River Gauge Readings

REQUEST TO MANAWATU-OROUA BOARD A complaint that the electrically-re-cording gauge installed in the vicinity of tho Fitzhcrbcrt bridge to register the level of the Manawatu river was not functioning correctly was voiced at the meeting of the Palmerston North branch of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society held last evening, when it was resolved to write to the Mana-watu-Oroua River Board requesting it to synchronise the level of the gauge on tho groyne close to the bridge with the automatic instrument installed by that body. The matter arose when the chairman (Mr. E. Gr. Matthews) pointed out thal tho readings of the electric gauge in the local newspapers—taken at midday and midnight respectively— did not give a correct indication to fishermen. “When we are told it is 2ft. Gins, we go to the river to find it very much lower, ’’ he said. “To sportsmen this is a distinct humbug and if tho newspapers are good enough to give us re ports they should at least be correct ones, especially in view of the expensive machine installed for the purpose. ’ ’ A member explained at this stage that tho electric gauge had been erected for the convenience of settlers in the lower reaches of the Manawatu river. It was primarily installed to warn people of the rise of the river during the approach of a flood. “There is a good gauge on the groyne near the bridge and tfie automatic one should be adjusted to read the same as ■that one,” declared another member. It was pointed out that when the main gauge had been placed in position the level had been reduced by a foot. “There are 300 sportsmen in tho district who watch the papers for the reports practically every day and they do not want misleading reports,” continued the chairman. “We should endeavour to have something done about it. Anyone visiting the river could only read the old gauge from the bridge and this reading was undoubtedly different from the one recorded on tho dial of the electric gauge at the Chief Post Office.” It was eventually Tesolved to write to the Manawatu-Oroua River Board requesting it to adjust the reading of the automatic gauge with that on the groyne.