PROPOSED BARGE CANAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 271, 12 August 1919, Page 6

PROPOSED BARGE CANAL

' BETWEEN PALMERSTON NORTE AND FOXTON. By Telegraph-Spccial Cormpondent. Palmorston North, August 11. A subject of interest'was discussed at the last meeting of tho Palmerston North branch of the Fanners' Union, when Mr. A. Buchanan moved, pursuant to notice: (1) "That the Fanners' Union should consider tho practicability of forming a barge canal between Palmerston North and Foxton. such canal to bo the forerunner of a ship canal in tho future." (2) "That the Farmers' Union considers the desirability of the harbour hoards of the Dominion being empowered and assisted by the Government to purchase a commercial fleet, tho sauio to bo i subsidised by tho Government, in the same manner as the Minister suggested should bo dono with private companies." In supporting tho motion, Mr. Buchanan said that lie noticed that at a meeting of a sub-provincial conference at Levin there had been some disensaion on the matter of straightening the Manawatu River and using the embankment as a. preventive of flooding the lower country, the swift current in tho shorter cut being more likely to cause oro.-uoii of the banks. Tliere bad also been some talk of using tho river as a canal. That proposal appeared to be impractic.ablo j for many years to come on account of ! the onormous cost of dredging, bank pro- | tec tin®, and especially tho expense of | providing necessary locks. Tho cost of i purchasing land for ilie proposed cjit | would be very heavy. Fo considered that his proposals were much le&s ambitious, j Hte was of opinion that a useful sized | canal suitable for barges could bo constructed from Palmerston North to Foxton, and if the proposal were adopted, it would be necessary (o set up a board to consider the course 3uch canal should follow. The route suggested was' from Palmerston North Railway Station through tho Buick Estato to some point on the Oroua, from which a branch could bo cut to Feilding. It might be practicable to straighten and use tho Oroua River from this junction to Rangioiu, and then make a comparatively straight channel from there to Foxton. This would mako unnecessary tho more expensive scheme suggested at tho Levin meeting. The time would come when the improvements at Foxton would provide a proper harbour there. .In tho meantime he felt confident that a barge canal would prove both useful and profitable in the carriage of goods, causing a reduction in freights and making-the upkeep of the roads less costly. After considerable discussion it was re- ] solved that as tho canal matter was of | si]ch importance, a remit should be sent ! on to the sub-provincial executive with ■ | a view to its obtaining nil data avnil- ! able which had been prepared in conI nection with tho scheme before it was | finally dealt with.