River Control

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 174, 26 July 1938, Page 12

River Control

PALMERSTON NORTH BOARD The monthly meeting of the Palmers'ton North River Board was held yesterday. Trustee A. E. Mansford presided and others present were Trustees J. Hodgens, J. T. Heatley, J. Batchelor, W. Mouldey, W. R. Hopcroft and W. Anderson. The district employment officer of the Department of Labour advised that the subsidy granted to the board would bo increased to cover the full wages cost. An additional commitment of £l2l had accordingly been allotted to provide for the increased subsidy for the employment of seven men for a period of six months from July 4, 1938, to December 31, 1938. A further letter stated that three additional men were to be placed with the board on a subsidised labour basis of the full wages cost for a period of six months from July 4. An additional commitment of £364 had accordingly been allocated to cover the employment of the men for the period stated. The advisory engineer, Mr. E. Fisher, reported, in accordance with the board ’s resolution of June 27, that an inspection be made of its groyne system of works by Trustees Heatley and Batchelar and . himself, the inspection was made on July 2 as arranged, and he had to pre sent the following report thereon: The scope of the inspection covered all the groynes on the right bank of the river in the board’s area and also the critical condition of the river bank protection works at Stuart’s, Te Matai, immediately beyond the board’s area. Generally within the board’s area the result of the inspection revealed considerable instability of the groynes originally constructed owing to the deterioration of the blue-gum stays used to support the main structural work of these groynes. It was also found that a few of the main piles of these groynes were likewise affected to a lesser extent. The dominant weakness, however, lay in the bluogum supports of these groynes. It was considered advisable that all the weal: units in these groynes be replaced with more durable timber, which in the case of the groyne supports required that to tara of stout dimensions be used, and that the mam groyne piles showing weakness be supplemented with ironbark piles. It was considered essentia'' that the work of reconditioning the affected groynes as stated, should be comprehensively effected as soon as possible. It was advisable, therefore, for the board to adopt this line of action. It was found that the condition and stability of the groynes of later construction was quite satisfactory. The aggressive disposition of the river at Stuart’s, Te Matai, was fully realised, and it was agreed that the measure of security was definitely impaired by the present precarious condition of the river bank protection works which were extensively affected. Obviously, adequate groyne works were required to effect the abatement of the menacing tendency of the river, which was a matter calling for serious consideration. As instructed, the condition of the city council’s rubbish depot was also inspected in respect to the question of river scour on the prohibited section of the depot. It was evident that the scouring action of the river seemed likely to develop and for this reason it was advisable to allow more filling to be made in a certain defined area of this section, which should receive the board’s support. There were certain areas in connection with the board’s protection works that he considered should be planted with pine and macracarpa trees, which constituted a vital factor in the consolidation of the whole scheme of protection works and effectively contributed to the stabilisation of the river channel. Considerable planting had already been done and these plantations were now showing rapid and excellent growth. The localities that should now be planted were at Fitzroy Diversion channel on the right bank and Durden’s and Petersen’s fore shores on the left bank of the river. Two thousand trees were required to plant these areas, costing £l9 for 2-year-old trees and £2 15s for 1-year-old. The wire required to fence these tree areas would cost about £ls; the fence posts are obtainable from logs in the river channel and the labour would be supplied under the Labour Department’s full wage rate scheme. He would therefore commend this proposition for the board’s favourable consideration. Acting in the supervision of the works and staff during the foreman’s absence (who resumed duties on the 18th inst.), Mr. Fisher had to report on the works as follows: At the old race course the complete reconstruction of the two outer spans of No. 2 groyne, which were badly damaged by the February high flood over two years ago, had been completed. At present the men who were employed on this work were engaged in making necessary repairs to No. 2 groyne at Durden’s, which was damaged by the high flood of April last. So far this month the river had mostly been in a flooded state, the highest rise of Bft. Gins, being recorded on July 13 These conditions restricted groyne repair work; consequently for the greater part of the time the staff were engaged in a systematic programme of willow planting and fence repair work in con nection therewith. This work was well advanced, but much more planting remained to be done to cover the extensive reclamations effected by the groynes. The ten men now employed under the Labour Department’s full wage rate scheme were engaged on this work under proper board supervision, and were rendering satisfactory service. Information has been received from the suppliers that the ironbark piles could be expected to arrive shortly. As soon as these piles came to hand the authorised groyne work at the Esplanade would be proceeded with. The district Public Works Department recently hired a rowboat from the board and unfortunately the boat was sunk and lost in deep water. It was agreed that payment of £7 be made to the board as the value of the boat. By advertising he had purchased a boat for £7 17s to replace the one lost and he asked the board to confirm his action. The board required three of these boats and one of the three now in use was unsafe for further use and he asked authority to have a new boat built, which he estimated to cost £9. It was pleasing to record that the board’s foreman, Mr. A. Lane, had made a good recovery as a result of his recent operation. In connection with the control of the