River Erosion in Borough

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 2

River Erosion in Borough

NO PROMISE FROM P.W.D. On the subject of river erosion, the Minister of Public Works wrote to the Pahiatua Borough at Monday’s meeting advising that the question of river erosion in the borough had been fully investigated, and it was found that the erosion in question had been active for a number of years and that the council had apparently taken no definite action to deal with it. The engineer had estimated that it would be necessary to put in at least three permanent groynes, the estimated cost of the work being £7OO. It was regrettable, the letter went on to state, that the council had not been able to deal with the matter when labour costs could have been substantially subsidised, and it was not the practice of the Government to provide monies out of general funds for the subsidising of protection works on private lands, particularly in closely settled areas such as this. It was not possible at the moment to make any promise of financial assistance, but the matter had been noted for consideration when the annual public works estimates were being prepared. Whether any funds could be set apart for the purpose would depend on the amount of money available during the ensuing financial year for works of that description and its comparative urgency with other demands. Cr. Watts remarked that it seemed that things had been left too long. The town clerk said that No. 13 scheme was still available, and the work might come under the scheduled items. The Mayor said that an inspection of the site showed that there was a livefoot interval between the river and the lowest boom—it seemed that there was another boom needed. The letter was received.