Manawatu-Oroua River Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 3

Manawatu-Oroua River Board

Mr. J. Calleson presided at yesterday's meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board. A letter was received frdra New Zealand Woolpacks and Textiles, Ltd., approving of the proposed cut at Springs Point and agreeing to share equally the cost up to *:4UO, the work to be carried out under the supervision of the board's engineer.—it was resolved that the work be proceeded with. Mr. W. L. Carter arid Mr. fc>. W. Barber wrote drawing attention to the continued dangerous state of the stop bank on the board's propery behind the Moutoa Hill. The writers added that this work had been approved by board members unci that they felt the work being done to the mouth of the cut iiad increased the degree of danger to this bank. They continued that in every flood of any size

the water over-topped the bank, the effect being to wear away the sides of the bank leaving it unsafe to withstand any further overflow. They asked that the bank be strengthened and the work treated as urgent. —It was resolved that the work be put in hand immediately. Through his solicitors Mr. G. Bennett wrote in connection with the proposed river protection works to the Oroua River. He asked the board not to proeeeu with any protection works to the right bank, as proposed, until the return of his two sons from overseas, when it would be possible to carry out necessary counter protective works to the boundary of his property.—lt was decided to reply that the board did not propose to carry out any work. , The Public Works Department wrote to the effect that the department had not planted the willows referred to in the board’s letter at the Shannon bridge. The letter added that the removal of the willows was a matter for the board and that the department would be unable to assist —lt was decided that the matter should be left to Mr. Law, with power to act. Mrs. I. Sanson wrote entering a protest against the board’s intention to protect their land on the Kopane side of the river. The writer added that during the last war willows planted' had driven the river over on to their property, part of which they lost.—The letter was received. The trustees in the estate of the late H. G. Moore and Mr. L. P. Fawcett wrote again asking for immediate assistance in the matter of a protecting stopbank along the Oroua River from the Rangiotu bridge to a fence dividing the Moore and Hunt estates.—The chairman remarked it was a pity the board's offer made about a year ago had not been accepted. The letter was held over for consideration at a later meeting. The engineer (Mr. H. R. Farquhar) in

his report stated that the bank just below the Mangaore Stream mouth was low and threatened by erosion. He suggested it should be set back before the winter. He also reported that the raising of the stopbank over Moore’s floodgate as requested by the Manawatu Drainage Board, had been completed and ramps put in for stock. Also that the Whitanui Bank had been completed but that part had yet to be sewn down.