MANAWATU RIVER LOOP

Chronicle (Levin), 25 February 1947, Page 3

MANAWATU RIVER LOOP

CONFERENCE AT FOXTON A conference of persons interested in the Manawatu River loop and the inconveniences- and handicaps following the complete workmg of the Whirokino Cut and the sealing off of the top end of the old river loop was held in the Town Hall, Foxton, last week. . The meeting decided that a request be made to the Government to immediately devise some scheme to replace sufficient water in the loop to ensure flushing. The Mayor of Foxton (Mr. H. H. Podmore) presided and among the visitors present were Messrs. A. P. Grant (rivers' expert), and T. Oohnson (district engineer) , representing the Public Works Department, and Messrs. McKay (chairman), L. J. Hagan (secretary), Evans (engineer) and R. R. Lind and S. W. Barber, representing the Catchment Board. Mr. Barber also represented the Moutoa Drainage Board, of which he is chairman. Mr. Podmore, in opening the meeting, said that it had beenconvened expressly to discuss the state of the river loop which was causing grave concern to the industrial users of the river water and for the future of the Foxton borough sewerage system. Mr. Grant stated that two MinLsters of the Crown had already visited Foxton and gone into the matter and had reported back to the Minister of Public Works. The position was being given consideration but it was felt that it would be well for the department to hear any grievances Foxton might havc In the matter. Mr. W. Truman (town clerk) who had a lengthy file of correspondtnce on the Whirokino Cut and river loop with him, gave a detailed summary of what had happened, touching on the various river protection schemes which had been propounded. The Government, he said, had not adhered to the scheme as set down in its correspondence to the Foxton Borough Council. > Mr. Grant said that the Whirokino Cut had been portion of a scheme propounded to benefit Moutoa. He admitted that when the scheme was first mooted some concern had been expressed as to what would happen to Foxton when the cut functioned but it had been decided to wait and see what the result would be and then find a remedy. Personally he did not think that any further silting would' occur in the loop now that the ramp had been established and he suggested that as a possible remedy to the loop stagnation problem a flood gate be constructed, the affluent ' from the mills be stacked in tanks, or the stripping mill itself be shifted up the river from Foxton. The department was interested to hear what had occurred and it was prepared to do anything possible to repair any damage done. Cr. E. Titcombe said that what could be done was a matter for engineers to say, but whatever was done should be carried out at no expense to the council. Mr. S. W. Barber said that had the dam not been put across the top of the river loop he believed that a bigger problem than facing them today would have occurred. Mr. M. E. Perreau (Foxton Harbour Board) said that the board would not place any handicaps in the way of overcoming the rivei problem. The board was considering disposing of its wharf and local sheds and if shipping was warranted in the future the wharf would b« either at whirbkino Bridge or neai

the beach. Mr. E. Corlett (Flax and Flax Textiles Unlon Secretary) spoke of the position regarding the employees in the industry. Previous to the cut being put through, he said, the men had never had any complaint about the water used in the mill, but today the stench was unbearable, the men had put up with it as long as possible and then had ceased to work. In doing so they realised that the Textile Co. had not been at fault, that the trouble had been due to the river being short circuited. It was impossible to work any length of time under existing conditions. Cr. J. Klllick said that the act of diverting the river was illegal. The Government had no right to deprive Foxton of its water. It had created a nuisance and a menace to health by so doing. The town clerk then quoted.letters from departmental officers in which it was stated that the essence of the proposed Whirokino Cut was to take surplus flood water and that it was never intended that the cut should become the river. He produced plans in support. Mr. Grant said he could not admit the clerk's contention. The cut had been constructed according to plan. A pilot channel had been dug five feet below low water level and the .river had done the rest. The scheme quoted by the clerk had been suggested by the River Board at one time but had not received any support. Mr. McKay said that the position at Foxton had definitely arisen from the complete functioning of the Whirokino Cut. The department was taking a very serious view of the position and would look to it to provide a speedy relief . The Manawatu Catchment Board would

give Foxton its sympathetic help and see that justice was done. Mr. Johnson said that apparently the chief cause of concern was pollution and there was also a complaint that the water in the loop was impregnated with salt and brackish. The question therefore arose as to whether it would not be better to shift the stripping mill (to the river above the Whirokino bridge and transport the employees to and from the work. When the river scheme was extended fremendous bnefit woufd accrue to the whole of the' low-lying Manawatu district where, today, hundreds of people lived urider a flood threat and in jeopardy of their very lives at times. The cut had received the backing of all local bodies concerned and it had not foeen foreseen that Foxton would be affected. Npw that had happened all concerned were anxious to find a remedy. A preliminary report was already being prepared for submission to the Minister concerned. When Mr. Grant asked what was the reaction to shifting the stripping mill, Cr. Small stated t'hat a settlement would form on the site and the business people of Foxton would be opposed to the move. Mr. Johnson pointed out that transport would be provided and said , that the meeting must remember that the textile mill is using. 10,000 gallons of water per day whereas the stripping mill is using 50ff0 per " minute. That would be 10,000 gal- . lons a minute if the mill is doubled up as contemplated. That would [ present a tremendous pumping problem. j In reply to. a question from Cr. ; Fletcher if the water could be

brought by gravity from Whirokino, Mr. Johnson said that it could not. The Mayor said that it was pleasing to note that there was a complete investigation in hand. Cr. Small suggested bringing the water from Shannon for the mill. Cr. R. Cochran said that it was not the fresh stripper water that caused any trouble. The smell arose from its stagnation in the unflushed loop. Finally Cr. Barron moved and Mr. J. Roach seconded a resolution calling on the Public ' Works Department to devise a scheme to place sufficient water back in the loop as soon as possible in order to safeguard Foxton's health and industries. The resolution was carried unanimously, after which Mr. Podmore t.hanked those present and particularly the visitors, for the interest evinced in Foxton's problem. -