MANAWATU RIVER EROSION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 259, 27 July 1920, Page 5

MANAWATU RIVER EROSION

PROPOSED PROTECTIVE WORKS.. Prom Our Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, July 26.. It is about twenty years sinco the Manawatu River has been in very high flood, but every year it becomes sufficiently swollen to cause serious erosions in its banks, particularly in tho vicinity of Palmerston North. The area of valuable land that has thus been washed away is very large, and this consideration alone is thought to warrant the erection of protective works, without regarding tho possible effect to the district generally of changes in tho river's course as a result of continual erosion.

At tho request of Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., who is also Mayor of PalmeTston Norlth, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. J. Anderson) visited tho district today, and in company with members of the Kairanga River Board and Borough Council inspected several points where serious inroads havo been, and still art being, made by the waters. The board Jina legal authority to impose rates over certain lands for erecting protective works within a limited stretch of the river at Palmerston North, but although nearly all of the ratepayers rccogniso the need for carrying out a scheme to prevent further erosions; it has not been found possible so far to secure tho majority necessary for the raising of a loan. This is probably due to the fact that many of. those who would be rated aro not immediately affected by the action of .the river. . It was made plain to tho Minister to-day that they were not asking for Government assistance for tho proposed works, but they wished sush action taken as would enable the River Board to put its scheme into effect, possibly by tho Minister exorcising the powers vested in him under the Rivers Board Act of 1917. The suggestion was made bv some that a uniform rate should lie struck over the district.

Mr. Anderson eaid lie wno surprised to learn that those concerned, while recognising the need for immediate action, could not among themselves come to agreement and approve the raising of the necessary loan._ He was opposed to tho Government .initiating the work on tho ground that it might ultimately bo called upon to boar the cost. H» stated that he tvm thoroughly coavcrsaot with tho history of the case, and had read tho report of tho 1918 Commission, and all the other papers on tho subject in tho possession of tho Department. He hoped it would still be possible to secure unanimity in the matter, but if such were not the case th'en lie would consider would could be done to bring about a result for which they all hoped, but which unfortunately they could not arrive at amongst themsolves.