LOW WATER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20106, 27 March 1928, Page 8

LOW WATER

DROUGHT AFFECTS RIVEr THE TRUST’S OPERATIONS It was reported, at yesterday’s meeting of the Wanganui River Trust that the Pipiriki gauge at the end of last week recorded the lowest water since .1911 and in view of the fact that since that date the river basin had been raised by scour from a nearby ti\ utary, It is believed that the navigable water was really lower than on any previous occasion.

This surmise is born out by the opinions of up river settlers who state that last week they noticed papa reefs exposed that had never shown above the water previously. Those present at the meeting were Alessrs J. 11. Burnet (chairman) F. Allen, W. Brown, Gregor AlcGregor, N. G. Armstrong and W. A. Veitch, AI.P.

The supervisor, Air T. W. Downes, reported on the month’s operations as follows: —

“As was to be expected owing to the long continued drought, the river slowly fell during February qntil on the 21st the Pipiriki mark registered 4-H inches below standard. The lowest water .hitherto recorded was in 1911, when 44 inches below mark was registered. The position was relieved somewhat by a slight rise on the 24th but during the present month it has been falling again until on the 20th. the register was again 41 inches below. “Alessrs Hat rick and Co., although they have had, considerable trouble, have so far been running their boats regularly and making fair time considering the water. They have also been able to cope with cargo offering. “Owing to the very low water giving facilities for work a Jong stretch of river bed .has been attended to. On the upper reaches from Taumarunui to Ohura the whole distance of 30 miles has been gone over, the first five miles by dredging and the rest removing stones and shovelling.

“ On the middle run to Tawata punt worked down to Te Afaai, about 15 miles, dregding and lower down to Rarata shovelling and removing stones. The bottom punt also worked on this section from Pipiriki to Alangatiti (16 miles) w'here walls were built at Alangatiti and Ramanui. At the latter place stone was given to the Trust by Hckenui. The wall at Parikiwai was also built up and Opiaka snagged. From Alangatiti northward. Captain Tarry assisted: with the “Wairua,” kindly lent by Alessrs Hatrick and Co, and the rapids Tangahoe, Otumapo, Nikutapu, Mangatoatoa, Matawhero, and Alangapurua were cleared of large stones and timber. The only portion of this stretch untouched is from the Taugarakau to Raratu, also a bad shallow near Kaiwhakauka, known locally as Rusling's shallow. “On the lower river the punt worked down from Pipiriki as far as Ruapirau, rebuilding walls and removing timbers w r ith the exception of Opirßti and Te Pua, which rapid is constantly revealing new bolders. The combined punts with Captain Tarry’s special gang have worked over a distance of 95 miles.

“Work has now been suspended but there still remains a short shingle and wire wall to build in the Rctaruke, some snagging at the Pipiriki punt moorings and some ston.es to be taken from Te Pua. Should, the frosts come before the rain we will probably have a record low water season, and will require to do further work. The men generally have worked well and long hours through a hard season. R. Gray and his gang especially deserve * word of praise.” The report was adopt off*.