RIVER CONTROL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18690, 13 May 1926, Page 13

RIVER CONTROL.

WAIMAKARIRI TRUST

NEW WORKS APPROVED

The first meeting of the Waimakariri River Trust sine© the loan poll, was held yesterday, those present being: Messrs J .Wood (chairman), H. E. Tcryman, J. H. Blackwell, A. Mauhire, R, 0. Dixon, F. G. Horrell, and J. Leslie. Messrs F. C. Hay, consulting engineer, and T Jeal, overseer, were also present.

The monthly report of the overseer (Mr T Jeal) stated that floods took place in the Waimakariri on April -ith and 30th, and May 4th, the latest rising 4ft 3iu at the Empire bridge. The water was over the road at Ooutts Island, but rose only three inches in the south channel. Further erosion occurred at Stewart's Gully. On the north bank, the groyne at the head of the old north channel*had all the cement at the end sunk, and as this groyne, by the new alignment, would be one of those to go, he would like to know the policy of tho Trust in such cases. Durinpr the last two months, No. 13 groyne, which was 12 chains long, had been completed, and, including 10 chains of stop banking, cost £742 os Bd. No. Sa groyne, which was between 8 and 0, had also been completed, at a cost of £G6I 18s 2d. The teams were now engaged putting in groynes between groynes 7 and 8, and 10 and 11. These groynes were urgently needed to provent the river from eroding back to Ihe stopbank. There were still three large groynes to go in, in the vicinity of the two-chain road, and it might also be necessary to put in two extra ones between 6 and 7, and 9 and 10. During last month, a commencement was made with the willow planting, and the area between No. 12 and 13 groynes had been planted. The expenditure for the past two months was £1853 13s sd. The expenditure for May would be approximately £1075. Mr Richards had spoken about a washout on the Ohoka drain in his property, and was anxious to have it repaired. The report was adopted. Mr Blackwell remarked that the number of floods recently, indicated the urgency of protective measures. The Reserves Committee reported that it had resolved to recommend to the Board that 25,000 pine trees be procured for planting this season. The report was adopted.

Eyre and Oust. Dealing with the Eyre and Oust protective schemes, the overseer recommended the following works: — Eyre.—To complete the work already commenced at Wotherspoon's, Oxford: I am very much afraid that if this work is not done, the river will come over behind it all. The whole work is estimated to cost £600; that completed cost £l6B 18s. To erect stop-bank on Mr Dixon's, which was washed away last year where the river overflowed, and came down the road to Eyreton. Repair groyne at Chapman's, which was damaged last year. Cust. —To remove willows in bed above Rangiora and Fernside road; to erect stop-banks on both sides of drain above Flaxton.

The report was adopted. Discussion took place on the Trust's policy, iu view of the result of the loan poll. The Finance Committee was authorised to make arrangements for the necessary finauce for new works approved. Mr Hay was instructed to draw up a programme of works, to be submitted to the Works Committee, and authorised in order of urgency. A letter was received from Mr C. W. Speers (Ouruhia) asking if the Trust could see its way to alter the line of the present proposed road to the new traffic bridge, as the present line crossed through, and would, if followed, spoil one of his best paddocks. By keeping a little further over, the Trust would have almost a straight line from Chaney'a station to the bridge.

Mr Hay said that the scheme would undoubtedly reduce the- value of the land, and the only course was to pay compensation. It was decided to reply stating that owing to the rejection of the loan; the Board was doing nothing on the scheme meanwhile. The chairman said it would be impossible to carry it on out of rates, owing to the question of compensation.

Communications were received from J. and F. L. Wright, requesting the strengthening of stop-banks protecting their properties. —. Walter E. Parnliam wrote on behalf of eight land-owners, asking the Trust to clear out a drain in the Kaiapoi district.

Consideration was held over, pending decision as to policy. A .letter was received from Seafield, Ltd., stating that the company's operations were seriously hampered through its inability to dispose of a section at Brooklands, while uncertainty existed as to tho Trust's future operations. The meeting decided to hold over consideration of the letter. The Finance Committee was asked to confer with the secretary, with a view to having a more satisfactory roll prepared for the River Trust's area. The secretary referred to the confusion existing in the City regarding the eligibility to vote. A new roll would cost a fair sum, but it would be necessary to have it as complete and up-to-date as possible.