0.-^-15

1909. NEW ZEALAND.

WANGANUI RIVER TRUST (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

WANGANUI RIVER TRUST. Members.—T. D. Cummins (Government nominee), Chairman ; J. T. Hogan, M.P., Wanganui ; G. V. Pearse, M.P., Patea ; W. Ritchie, Chairman, Waitotara County Council; D. Mason, Chairman, Wanganui County Council; J. H. Keesing, President, Chamber of Commerce ; C. E. Mackay, Mayor; T. B. Williams, W. G. Bassett, and J. T. Stewart, elected by the ratepayers of the Borough of Wanganui. Report. Sir,— Wanganui, 31st March, 1909. I have pleasure in reporting on the work performed and condition of the Upper Wanganui River for year ended the 31st March, 1909. The conditions of the river and the weather for the improvement works have not been so favourable as in some past years for the economic prosecution of the work, still I venture to hope that you will consider the schedule of works completed show a good return for the expenditure. It is pleasing to again be able to report that the benefit of the river improvement works have much assisted settlers both from Taumarunui downstream and from Wanganui to the newly opened country lying below Pipiriki, notably the Ahu Ahu, Te Tuhi, Ohotu, and Tauakira No. 2 Blocks. These lands are sparsely roaded, and much of the settlers' requirements are carried on the river-steamers. The volume of tourist traffic has also been apparently satisfactory from Taumarunui to Wanganui. The energies of the Trust have been mainly directed to the improvement of the channels in the upper reaches of the river, it having been found necessary to employ one party for a short period in maintaining the channel below Pipiriki. I would again emphasize the fact of the stability and permanency of the work now being undertaken ; most of the walls constructed at the inception of the work are still intact. This more especially refers to the walls or groynes built of large boulders and rock in the lower part of the river. To overcome the difficulty found in the upper reaches of the river of obtaining suitable stone for constructing walls, these have been mostly built with shingle enclosed in wire netting, and, although certainly not so stable as stone, have achieved the purpose, and appear to have considerable life. The steamer traffic has been fully maintained, without a single accident and without interruption. Mr. J. T. Stewart will supplement this with a report made after personal inspection and observation. The improvement works consist of construction of walls or groynes, the material of which has been stone where procurable, or shingle enclosed with No. 10 gauge wire netting of such mesh as was suitable for enclosing the shingle found in the locality, the nets being made by the Trust's employees. A considerable length of channel has also been cleared of snags and boulders, the net results being most satisfactory. The following schedule shows the walls completed, with the length of each. The number denotes the number of the rapid as shown on Mr. J. T. Stewart's plan of the river, published in parliamentary paper C.-15, 1908. No. 1. Ngahuinga, No. 2 wall from R. B. .. 396 ft. by 6 ft. by 2 ft. 6 in. 14. Towhenua, wall from R. B. .. .. 321 ft. „ 4 ft. 9 in. „ 3 ft. 6 in. 14. „ (apron) .. .. .. 291 ft. „ 3 ft. „ 3 ft. 16. Tauteti, additions and repairs .. 26 ft. ~ 16 ft. „ 4 ft. 16. „ new wall .. .. .. 26 ft. „ 16 ft. „ 4 ft. 16. „ wall from R. B. .. .. 222 ft. „ 7 ft. „ 3 ft. 16. „ No. 2 wall R. B. .. .. 239 ft. „ 4 ft. „ 3 ft. 16. „ (apron) .. '.. .. 156 ft. „ 3 ft. „ 2 ft. 6 in. 16. „ cross-wall .. .. .. 228 ft. „ 6 ft. „ 3 ft. 6 in. 16. „ (apron) .. .. 126 ft. „ 3 ft. 6 in. „ 1 ft, 6 in.