Palmerston North River Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 10

Palmerston North River Board

PERMANENT EMPLOYEES’ WAGES NO INCREASE GRANTED Trustee A. E. Mansford presided at the monthly meeting on the Palmerston North River Board on Monday. Others present were Messrs. J. Hodgens, J. Batchelar, J. T. J. Heatley, W. Anderson, W. Mouldey and W. R. Hopcroft. Mr. F. W. Cozens (district employment officer at Palmerston North) advised that it had been decided to continue Scheme No. 13 temporarily bovond March 31, 1939, on those approved works which were current at that date, and where the work approved had been completed. These works might be continued in the meantime pending a review. It was decided to thank the Department for its co-operation in connection with current works. Four employees of the board, Messrs. G. Leask, W. H. Gilmore, E. Cleaver and A. Lane, asked the board for an increase of 10s per week in wages. Special experience was necessary for the board’s work, it was contended. The advisory-engineer, Mr. Fisher, said that skilled work such as considerable carpentry was involved in the building of groynes. Trustee Heatley observed that the four employees concerned wero all the members of the board’s permanent staff, and had to have the assistance of subsidised labour. Trustee Batchelor said the board’s finances did not warrant an increase in the employees’ wages. Trustee Mansford moved that Mr. Cleaver’s wages be made the same as the others’ while he w r as in charge of a gang, but that the board regretted not being able to make a general wages increase at present. This was carried.

The foreman of works, Mr. A. Lane, reported that the dismantling of tho damaged portion of No. 7 groyne was completed. On completion of the work the plant had been engaged in fitting the extra lower course of booms on the nine existing groynes at this bend. The timber removed from the groyne was used for a portion of this work, being used mostly on the older structures. Borne booms were required to complete the work, the balance being hauled from the river. To date eight groynes had been completed. On completion of the fitting of the booms on the final groyne, a start would be made with the reconstruction of portion of No. 7 groyne. This additional low work had been caused by the lowering of the river channel and tho extra low level of tho river. The hauling of the groyne timber from the river atMßca timber from the river at Mcßae’s bend was still in progress, one plant being chiefly engaged on this work during the month. Several good logs had been hauled and were split into suitable lengths and hauled to a high level out of flood danger. Several nests of snags obstructing the course of the river at this bend had been blasted and removed. The timber at present being hauled is for the reconstruction of tho portion of No. 7 groyne and the additional new groyne below No. 12 groyne. As the hauling of the groj’ne timber from the river at Mcßae’s bend was practically completed, it would be advisable on completion, to transfer the plant to Fitzroy Bend “where several good logs were available. Several nests of snags opposite the groyne at this bend, which were obstructing the course of the river channel, would be removed in conjunction with the hauling of tho logs. As authorised, the casting of the 12 concrete booms was costing, completed, £49. The tarring of the pile heads of the groynes that were constructed last year at various bends, was in hand. During the week-end on Sunday, March 26, a fire occurred eight chains below the last groyne at the Esplanade bend adjoining the swimming pool, resulting in a portion of tho willows being destroyed, approximately two chains in length. Tho damage was more confined to the high level. The fire received attention by the brigade. The weather and river conditions during the month had been excellent for the progress of works, no freshes being recorded. It was decided to send a letter thanking the Fire Brigade for saving the bush in the Esplanade and to present a cheque of £2 2s to the social fund of the brigade. Engineer’s Report. The advisory engineer, Mr. E. Fisher,

reported that he had made & thorough inspection of the structural condition of the whole of the board’s system of sixty groynes. Generally, the material condition of the majority of the groyne piles was sound and satisfactory, and would give service for some years. There were a few of the pile heads that show some decay, but those affected could be remedied without driving new piles. In regard to the staying and bracing system of the groynes, a verydefinite weakness exists, and future deterioration in this respect would be rapid. This condition applied only to the older groynes in which the timbers used for pile supports and bracing pur* poses were of bluegum and manuka, whereas totara had been used exclusively in construction in latter years. ' Through decay, the present condition of the timber in the supporting system of the older groynes was unsatisfactory and while it would serve for older groynes was unsatisfactory and while it would serve for another flood season, it could not be relied on beyond that period. Another important development affecting the whole of the groyne .system of works was the pronounced lowering of the river bed by an average of three to four feet throughout, thus reducing the efficiency of the groynes. Tho present adverse conditions of the groynes necessitated the application of additional lower booms in onler to restore and maintain the required standard of efficiency. It was therefore essential that the additional booms required should be applied when the work of reconditioning the groynes was in hand. He recommended that the whole of this work be effected next summer season. One of the construction plants was sufficient to execute this work. In the estimates and schedule of works for the current year provision was made for the complete renovation of all the groynes affected, as referred to. As shown on the estimates, the greater part of the new groyne work to be constructed this year consisted of the unconstructed balance of last year ’■ programme of groyne work. There was one groyne extension only of 30 feet in this year’s requirements. Another important work that should be under taken next summer season was the comprehensive removal of obstructions in the river channel. The second plant could be employed on this work and, provided tho subsidised labour now employed was still available, it could be very usefully utilised on this work. During the winter period this labour was also required for willow planting, repairing fences, and other routine work. Estimates for the year 1939-40 were approved as follow.—Rates levied will comprise: A, a rate of 21-32 d totalling £464 16s lOd; B, a rate of 13-32 d totalling £406 ss; C, a rate of 9.32 d totalling £1992 3s 9d. Other receipts are estimated as arrears of rates £l9O, royalties £SO, petrol tax £ls, a total of £3014 3 s 7d. Estimated expenditure on new groynes is £1057 10s, less piles in stock £417 355, a total of £639 15s. This expenditure comprises work on Mcßae’s bend. Repairs and maintenance of groynes are expected to cost £B5l 10s, tho principal expenditure of £212 being on Mcßae’s bend. Other miscellaneous estimates permit of a balance of £316 34s 6d. Under ordinary circumstances the requirements for the year would be completed within the estimates, said Mr, Fisher in reply to the chairman. The chairman moved the approval of the estimates, and the motion was carried.