Manawatu Catchment Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 44, 21 February 1945, Page 7

Manawatu Catchment Board

ABOLITION OF P.N. RIVER BOARD PROPOSAL HELD OVER Mr. J. T. J. Heatley (chairman) presided at the meeting of the Manawatu Catchment Board in Palmerston North yesterday. The Manawatu-Oroua River Board wrote seeking the approval of the board to proceed with the Puklowski’s Bridge cut. This was granted. The Manawatu Drainage Board wroto expressing the opinion that the Kawau Stream should receive attention to reduce the danger of flooding in t.he Takaro area.—lt was resolved to advise the Drainage Board that the city council already had the matter in hand. Mr. S. W. Rapley wrote asking if the board w r ould give consideration to the question of erosion on property on Siberia Rad. This letter started a long discussion and it was linally decided, on the motion of Mr. M. W. Voss that the board approach the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council and the local bodies concerned with a view to ascertaining what assistance would be forthcoming by way of subsidies from the council and contributions from the local bodies for channel improvement work at Raukawa Bend. Mr. W. Brotherstone's letter request ing protection works near his property above the Balance Bridge was referred to the engineer for a report. The Manawatu-Oroua River Boafd wrote drawing the attention of the board to open sand-blows adjaceut the Manawatu River. —It was resolved that the engineer and Mr. R. Acheson (P.W.D. engineer) submit a report. A request from the Pohangma County Council seeking an inspection and advice as to future works and from a private individual in the Ashhurst district whose best land is threatened by erosion, was referred to the No. 4 works committee. The Wairarapa Catchment Board wrote suggesting a joint inspection of Ihe Mount Bruce area iu connection with afforestation.—Wairarapa is to be asked to set a date early in March. Engineer’s Report The engineer (Mr. D. J. B. Halley; reported that an inspection had been made of bank erosion at Lethbridge’s in the Otaki River and he recommend ed: (1) That the Railway Department be again contacted with a view to getting permission to carry out chaunel improvements above the bridge; (2) that a plan and estimate of work bo prepared including channel improve ment above the bridge, protection of Lethbridge's erosion, and cleaning out of cuts below the bridge; (3) that Mr. Lethbiidge be asked what he would be prepared to contribute towards the cost of protective works; and (4) that prorvision for the cost of the works be asked for in the annual estimates, on a basis of allocation to be decided by the board.—The matter of giving immediate attention to protection works at Lethbridge's was referred to the works committee and engineer with power to act. Mangatainoka River—Tutaekara Erosion In connection with the inspection by the Eketahuna County Council made of works in the Mangatainoka River at the site of the Tutaekara erosion the engineer reported that a slight difference of ojiinion had arisen betweeu the county engineer and the P.W.D. resident engineer concerning the necessity for and location of a small stopbank being built behind the macrocarpa protective works. After a discussion i the spot it was decided to continue with the construction of the banks along the lines of Mr. Duttill's original proposal. It was considered that the proximity of the Makakahi River, the natural fall into it from the Mangatainoka at Tutaekara, together with the risk of increased flooding to be expectod through steady deterioration of the river upstream, warranted the construction of a stopbank. Walton Park Erosion Referring to the Walton Park erosion in the Mangatainoka the engineer ; recommended that a more detailed inspection be made and estimate of the cost of protective works o’btained, also that the B.S.A. and county council be asked what proportion of the cost they would bear. Erosion at O’Brien’s The engineer recommended, in connection with the erosion at O'Brien’s, that the Pahiatua surveyor be asked to carry out an immediate survey iu order that a scheme of protection could be prepared. McFarlane’s Bridge It was also recommended that the county council be asked to supply a plan of the proposed new McFarlane’s bridge in 'order that flood opening and pier alignment could be noted. Linton Camp Cut-off Referring to the Linton Camp cutoff the engineer reported that the cut was functioning well with the Fitzherbert gauge at 5 ft. lie added that until a small flood had'given the cut a chance to develop it would not be possible to pass an opinion on the success of the work. The report was adopted. Mr. Carruthers asked that the engineer treat the McFarlane's bridge position as one of urgency. Speaking of the Linton Camp cut-off the chairman said he thought the board’s congratulations could well be extended the P.W.D. for the manner in which they* had put the work through. P.N.-Kairanga River Board In a report covering the above river board the chairman made the following recommendations:— (1) That the board recommend to the Soils Conservation and Rivers Control Council the abolition of the Palmerston North-Ivairanga River Board, and the taking over of its functions, including i plant and staff, making the necessary financial adjustment, either by mutual

agreement or by arbitration as provided for by the Act. (2) Extend the area of this district from Longburn Bridge to the Gorge for classification and operating purposes. That this stretch of river, which lends itself to a co-ordinated scheme, presents many problems which have priority claims for attention extending over its whole length. (4) My reason for recommending this area for classification is because it only involves two counties and one city, and as the present river board is operated by rates levied by the Palmerston North City Council and the Ivairanga County Council and only a small area of the Oroua County would come into this district. “I feel sure,” added Mr. Heatley, “that an early and satisfactory adjustment can bo arranged with the local bodies concerned and that classification could be put under way almost immediately and should be ready for rating purposes by April, 1945'. In making this report, I would like it to be clearly understood that I realise that there are many other parts of this board's district that have serious problems and several with priority claims, and I feel sure that they will all be carefully watched by the engineer and bo given immediate attention when he thinks it is required.” The chairman explained that his report was really drawn up because he thought some move should be made in the matter. He added that he put out the report in order to get an expression of opinion from board members. He also said he did not like classification any more than other people who had had experience of it. Mr. Voss said the river board had been doing good work for a number of years and that he did not favour too much haste in taking over the area suggested by the chairman. He agreed with the chairman in principle but advocated a delay until after the conference in May. It was agreed that un important policy question was involved and it was decided that further consideration of the report should be held over until the conference of catchment boards. Most of the speakers during the discussion were against classification but Mr. M. O. Grainger, though he stated he had had no experience of classification, wanted it to be clearly understood that he was definitely against the striking of a general rate over the whole area.