Manawatu and Oroua Rivers

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 93, 20 April 1945, Page 3

Manawatu and Oroua Rivers

The Manawatu-Oroua River Board met in Palmerston North yesterday, Mr. J. Chrystall, senr., presiding. The engineer (Mr. H. R. Farquhar) reported that work had commenced on Opaekete point downstream stopbank. Fifty per cent, of the gullet from the outlet of No. 2 Taupunga cut had been excavated. On the Oroua River, Pultlowski’s bridge cut was developing steadily. An inspection had been made of „ the length between Kaimatarau Road and Kopane bridge. Gravel beds were forming in the lower part of this length, while in the upper part the bed was widening and the natural banks were subject to erosion. On the right bank the erosion in several places had traversed the high land adjacent and would shortly more rapidly inundate the low basin at the junction Of Kaimatarau Road and Leen’s Line. During recent floods the margin left was inches only so the proposed banking above Kopane bridge would also necessitate banking at least in the low places for I* miles below the bridge. Another insjjection during or shortly after the next substantial flood, was recommended. Six sets of gates were now in place at the mouth of the drain, Moutoa. Rapid erosion had* taken place on the Barber estate at the downstream setback completed last autumn. Plans for placing the bank two chains from the present river had been submitted to the Catchment Board and approved and the work was being treated as urgent. In connection with the Flax Plan Committee’s setback at Spring’s spillway, the bank was being set well back from the river. Mr. H. Voss wrote regarding erosion of the stopbank at tho mouth. of the Oroua River, saying it was in danger. The Board agreed to set the bank back. Mr. A. W. Alve wrote asking when the Board would be carrying out protection works near his property at Rangitane. The engineer estimated the cost of tho 4S chains required at £3SO. The work would give protection to five houses. The matter was referred to Trustees J. B. Chrystall, junr., and G. M. Mitchell, with the engineer, to report on to the next meeting. Mr. A. Hands drew attention to the condition of the stopbank on the Oroua River at Mangawhata, where erosion was taking place.—Referred to the lvairanga trustees to inspect . and report. A New Zealand Naval gunner serving on a merchant ship writes: “Our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the gifts se/it aboard—a good job being done by grand people.” The “grand people” are you New Zealanders whose generosity has made possible the work done by Patriotic Funds. Keep on giving.* FREE TO PILE SUFFERERS. Send 9d. stamps for generous trial treatment of ZANN, tho proved relief. Write NOW. Zann Pty., Box 952 S (B. AJ. Appleton, .154 Featherston Street), Wellington.