Foxton's Big Smell And River Cuts

Chronicle (Levin), 20 July 1949, Page 3

Foxton's Big Smell And River Cuts

- ♦ — c'It appears ektremely doubtful that the cutting of the hole through the stopbank at the entrance of the Whirokino eut, has been of any benefit, to Foxton in removing the small nuisance, ' ' stated Mr P. G. Evans, chief engineer of7 the '"-Maaawatu. Catc'hinent Board in a report to the Soil Conserva•tion'find Rivers jCpn.tr oi Counci'L which was r ead to thb I CatClxmbnt Boafd ye.s terday. He qrtoted letters. from the Moutoa Draiiiage Boar'd '^nd fhe Manawata Orouh' River Board asking that the bank at the entrance be reformed to prevent further silting. Sil'ting levels had been taken and indicated that tlie complamt was fully justifled'. The Catchrnpnt Board asked that ineasures • be taken to restore'the bank. Mr G. L. Ewen reported that he had met a small gathcring of residents from Foxton and one of them had queried the silting levels. Mr Evans said they might be incorreet in one or two channels, but over the whole of the river they were aceurate. However, he would have them checked if necessary. The three silting levels were 13 feet, 7 feet and feet. Mr Ewen said the Foxton Borough Council would probably oppose the elosing of the gap. Mr Evans said it would close itself in time and silt up a lot more. The linal result as far as Foxton was concerned, if the gap was not closed, would be far worse. "I think they will malce a big mistake if they oppose it," he said. '' They hope the tide will go 'through' the gap and wash out thp.dirty water, but it is not doing that. The flood water is bringing in silt.", His report to tlie Soil .Conservation ■and Rivers' Control Council was adopted. ; ' ' ' '