WANGANUI RIVER TRUST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 11 August 1908, Page 2

WANGANUI RIVER TRUST.

ANNUAL REPORT.

Following is the annual report of tho Wanganui River Trust to the Lands Department :—

Members :—T. D. Cummins (chairman, Government nominee); J. T. Hogan, M.P., Wanganui; Walter Symes, •M.P., Patoa; W. Ritchie, chairman Waitotara County Council; I>. Mason, chairman Waganui County Council; J. H. Keesiiig, president Wanganui Chamber of Commerce; C. E Mackay -Mayor-; W. G. Bassett, T. B. William's,' and J. T. Stc^ai-t-CE., members elect-

od by tho rat-opayer3 of Wanganui. jW. C Ketiaington, Esq., Under-Socrotarj^ Lands Dept., j Wellington. Sir, —I have pleasure in reporting on tho work performed by the> Wanganui j ltiver Truut for the year ended March 3ist, 1903. I lho conditions of tho river have been i favourable to the work in hand, and a very considerable amount has been handled, resulting in much improvement to the navigation of tho upper i reachc.3. j I am pleased to bo able to report that j tho traffic from Taumarunui down | stream has been maintained, without in- | torruption. A very largo number of j tourista and settlors have been carried j down stream, and the facilities for tho I conveyance of goods to the settlers on j !both banks of the river has been largely takon advantago of, and has undoubtedly assisted settlement of lands abutting on tho river. During the j-ear a special committee* was set up to report on the Linda that should be reserved for seenio purposes, also to report on suitable a:eaa that were not of co much consequence in that respect, but could be utilised by th~o Wanganui Trust Domain Board for leasing, and producing a revenue for maintaining the navigation. You havo already received the report by Mr J. T. Stewart, and-I will enclose with this a copy of a report furnished by Mr H .Lundius, Crown Land 3 Ranger, to tho Commissioner of Grown Lands. I trust ere long that thesevreports will bo given effest to; that the scenery will ba fully preserved, and that ths areas suitable for leasing and producing revenue will be offered for tender. , The improvement works have mainly consisted of the construction of walh and groynes for deepening shallow places, and improving tiie rapids, and aro scheduled below. Ho that you may better follow the work accomplished and mention in the schedule, I forward a map of the river with tho rapids and principal places named and numbered. They are as follow:—No. 1, Ngahuianga, left bank; 2, Pungahuruhu.ru, right bank; 3, Pungahuruhuru, left bank; 4, Turangahoru, right bank; -5, Taurangahoru, toft bank; 9, Pokongaruru, right bank; 9, Pokongaruru, left bank; 16, Tautote, left bank; 1(3, Taut&to, left bank; 2£, Omaka, right bank; 26, Gmaka-, mid-stream ;~32, Whakarae, left bank; 33, Pouwhakamara, right bank; 75, ilerepu, right bank; 75, Herepu, left bank; 84, Kuangarahu, left bank; 100, Waikukutea, right bank; 100, Waikukutea, left bank; 104, Makoma'ko, left bank; 105, Whakatara, left bank. In -addition, there are at date tinder construction certain works as follow:— No. 2, Ngahuianga, right bank; 9, Pokongaruru, No. 2, right bank; 9, Pokongaruru, No. 2, left bank; 91, Kahuitara, right bank; 91, Kahuitara, left bank; 105, Whakatara, "right bank. Tho length of tho completed walls this year ! is 9506 feet, of an average width of 5 feet and depth of 3 feet 9 inches. As well as the work: above referred to, many vagrant snags have been remoyed, valso boulders and papa reefs that have appeared.through scour consequent on' tho construction of the walla and 'groynes. Tha cost of the wo rk has been £2509. Below Pipiriki maintenance of the river channel has received full attention by removal of snag 3 and boulders and repairing walta In conclusion, I would urge that although the conditions of the river for navigation purposes nave been very considerably improved, there is yet much to be done to assist matters in tho lew condition of the river in tho summer months, when steamer traffic is at its greatest. = I sincerely trust that the sum already requisitioned to be placed on the estimates for this very necessary work,' £2500, will have due consideration. I am, sir, Yours obediently, (Signed) T. D. CUMMINS. Chairman Wanganui River Trust ■July 10th} 1908.