Feilding Borough Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 35, 9 August 1895, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council.

A special meeting of the above was held last evening to consider tho report on the condition of the Kiwitea stream, where it crosses the Kimbolton 1 road, prepared by Mr R. W. Holmes, y resident Engineer of the Public Works j Department, by direction from the j Colonial Secretary at the request of tho Couucil. Present — Hia Worship tb© >■ Mayor (Mr W. A. Sandilands), Crs A. R. Allan, J. Gould, G. W. Fowles, G. H. Saywell, W. A. L. Bailey, H. Worsfold, E. Goodbehere, J. P. Cowie. The Mayor read the report submitted by Mr Holmes, which dealt exhaustively with the character of tbe river and the effects of floods. The report recommended extensive protective works in the form of training banks as against groins as they tended to bring the water along its course in a gentler manner and were less expensive than groins. To render the construction of tbe bridge safe training banks, as shown on plans, must be constructed at once. He recommended that the training bank on the west side above tbe bridge, tbat on east side for ten chains above the bridge, and both for three chains below the bridge be coustructed of fascines, tbe remainder of protective work could be constructed at a less cost of the most durable drift wood in the river bed. These banks should be closely planted with willows. Attention must be paid to the slopes of the faces of tbo fascine work, as the river currents always tend to scour and lower the )>ed where steep banks occur. It is, therefore, desirable to form tbem as flat aa possible. All snags which may lodge in tbe vicinity of the works should be removed as soon a3 possible. The tops of the banks must be constructed about two feet above flood mark. At places wbere the banks cut off portions of the present river bed, ponds must not be allowed to form, and culverts must, be put in to drain. At several places to 1)3 occupied by the permanent channel clumps of willow are growing which must be removed. The esti- \ mated cost of the works was: — 41 j chains fascine work training bank, £2132; 9 chains log work, £414; culverts, £34; planting willows, 118 square chains, £295; fencing, 164 chains, £123 ; total cost of protective works, £2998. Bridge, 332 feet long, L 2324 ; approaches, forming and gravelling, £237 ; land purchase, north side, 2} acres, £36 ; survey both sides, £10; fencing, £36; total cost of bridge, £2643 ; supervision, £150 ; total cost of works, L 5791. In conclusion the report stated it would be better to put up with the present ford than build a bridge without protective work. The site suggested for a bridge is close to and nearly parallel to tbe Kimbolton road, wbere tbe bank of tbe river has tbe flattest curve, and tbe the western end is at about tbe same spot as that suggested for a bridge by Messrs Hill aud Bray, but tbe bridge runs more up stream witb the eastern end abutting on to Reid's line and tbe approach thereto being taken through Mr Pharazyn's property to Kimbolton road. In discussing tbe report, the Mayor said, in reply to a question, the cost of tbe bridge for which plans were prepared by Messrs Hill and Bray was £2146, including £110 for protecting the abutments to the brfdge, wbich was 305 feet long, As to ways and means for constructing tbe bridge and protective works, tbe Mayor said he noticed tbe Government had some intention of taking over main roads. If tbe Council thought fit be would take the plans of the proposed works to Wellington, when he went down to attend tbe Municipal Conference, and ask tbe Government for a subsidy if tbey were not going to take over tbe main roads at once. The Borough could not do tbe work without a loan, and if a poll was taken he did not think it would be carried, therefore be suggested applying to the Government for a subsidy. Cr Goodbehere thought tbey might get a £ for £ subsidy. If tbey put up the bridge tbey should carry out tbe recommendations in the report, and the only way to do so was by getting Government assistance. Cr Bailey tbouebt it was a necessary work, and they should take advantage of tbe Mayor's visit to Wellington to apply to Government for assistance. Cr Saywell concurred in this opinion. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Bailey. That further consideration of tbe question of erection of Eiwitea bridge be adjourned until after the return of tbe Mayor from Wellington, and that he be requested to interview tbe Minister for Public Works and endeavor to obtain a subsidy towards tbe work. — Carried. Proposed by tbe Mayor, seconded by Cr Allan, Tbat a cordial vote of thanks be accorded by tbis Council to Mr 11. W. Holmes, Government Resident Engin- ' eer at Feilding, for bis very comprehensive report and valuable plans of the proposed bridge and protective works recommended by bim in connection witb tbe Kiwitea bridge on the Kimbolton road. — Carried. The Council then adjourned.