WANGANUI RIVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 278, 24 November 1931, Page 5

WANGANUI RIVER

MEETING OF TRUST BOARD POOR PLANTING SEASON Progress of the work of planting trees on the scenic reserves of the Wanganui River was reported to a meeting of the Wanganui River Trust Board by the supervisor, Mr T. W. Downes, at a meeting of that body yesterday. It was stated that the reason had been unfavourable and that the results were not as good as anticipated. Following was the report submitted: Omaru.—Work on this, our sixth plantation, has been finished, but it is far from satisfactory. The dry weather which followed the planting before the young trees were established, has withered up many of the plants, especially the fastigata, among the eucalyptus. The same thing happened three seasons ago at Ohui and Biripo. So far in the five plantations gums have only succeeded in one, namely the old houseboat site at Marae-kowhai, a swampy flat. The other young trees on Omaru seem to have taken fairly well considering the hard, dry slope. The percentage of failures may be taken roughly as follow: Eucalypti, 80 per cent.; redwood, 20 per cent.; microcarpa, 20 per cent.; pinus insignis, 2 per cent. The cost seems to be out of all proportion to the results, but the section was a hard one to deal with, as all the rubbish had to be got rid of in the wet weather. There is gorse on the section but no ragwort, or blackberry. The cost is: Purchase of plants, £5O; repairing the fence, northern boundary, and clearing the land, £62; planting poplars and marking out, £75; total, £lB9. t Since last year’s spraying ragwort terially decreased. On our other plantations macjocarpa has generally failed, and the result here is above the average. These trees were, in very case, planted within three days from being lifted, so that the plants had every chance. A row of poplars put on the northern boundary to give shelter and a new fence line if required, is doing well and there are no misses. About 250 young fern and forest trees put in by Mr Berg and your ranger on the northeast corner of the section have quite failed in three weeks of dry weather following the planting. Rivei Trust Following was the report submitted by the supervisor of the Wanganui River Trust Board: Sinco the last meeting the T.D.C. canoe overhaul has been finished, and the canoe, with a satisfactory run, returned to Tawata. The punt at that pla«ce has also been finished and launched, completing the repair work for the season, which has been a particularly heavy one. Alterations to the Wanganui shed, and benzine store have been made, this being necessary by the Power Board building being erected on the northern boundary of the section. River work can commence as soon as the river falls, and becomes clear. Oil and fuel is in stock and also new indented wire ropes. The river, at 20 inches below the mark, seems in fair order, but some places, such as the mouth of the Pitangi, Pulppuku and Kokira-a-Koinaki (man-o’-war) will require early attention. A number of rips indicating snags or boulders, show at various places. The Retaruke has again shoaled up.