LOWERING OF SPILLWAY

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1946, Page 3

LOWERING OF SPILLWAY

WORK TO BE DEFERRED Following representations by two settlers on the Bryant estate, the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, at a meeting held in Palmerston North on Thursday, decided. not to lower Bryant's spillway until after November, by which time it is hoped the danger of latfe flood will have passed. The chairman (Mr. J. Chrystall) explained the need of lowering the spillway, and said that the water which passed over it during floods should disappear after about two days. Mr. A. E. Burling pointed out that the area adjacent to the spillway was being used for cropping purposes, and any water inundating the land would ruin the crops. Mr. Burling also referred to the serious erosion taking pla.ce on- the righthand bank. 'if the position deteriorated to apy great extent the stopbank would have to be moved back, and tas the house was only two chains from the river italso would have to be moved. When the matter was discussed by the board, the- e.onsulting engineer (Mr. H. R. Farquhar) said the cost of the protection work to save the bank would, ,be about £500. It ,was decided to ask'Mr. Burling for an estimate of the, cost of shifting the stopbanks back. • Barber's spillway was also brought before the notice of the meeting, when a letter was received from the • Manawatu Catchment Board advising that it had been decided to withhold permission to construct the spillway until a conference of interested parties and the engineers of the two boards had been held. The engineer reported that good progress has been made on Barber's No. 3 setback, and the danger of a break-through had - been greatly reduced.