The Oroua River.

Manawatu Herald, 11 June 1903, Page 3

The Oroua River.

At the meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board on Monday morning, Mr Pearce of the Manchester County Council waited on the Board in reference to the Oroua River. Mr Pearce said some time ago the representatives of the Manchester, Manawatu and Kairanga Gonnty inspected the Oroua River at a point about two miles above the Aorangi Bridge. These gentlehad come to the conclusion that it was advisable to plant willows there i as a protection against the overflow of the river. The river had now worked away from the weak spot, and they were of opinion that it was a good opportunity to strengthen the point. Two of the four settlers were agreeably to the willow planting, but the other two objected to any tresspass on their land. His Board did not expect the Drainage Beard to do anything on their recommendation, but desired it to inspect the point referred to and come to their own «onclusion. They pointed out the matter to the Drainage Board for the reason that the latter’s district would be the sufferer if the river broke through there. The chairman, Mr L. R. Bryant, pointed out that the Board was not a river Board and the matter was therefore outside its province. They we’re opening a grave question, and one that would have to be faced sooner or later. He was of opinion that as settlement progressed and the water reached the river quicker, the river would con- * tinue to scour in the upper reaches and to silt-up in the lower reaches. Mr Monrad did not think the Board should take any active steps in the matter. The question required a special river board with special powers If the Board did anything and gave a grant towards, willow planting, it would be but tinkering with a serious matter, and wasting the substance of the Board. Besides there were other places in the Board’s district which would need attention and for which settlers would make applications for grants if anything Were done in this instance. At Oroua. Bridge the willows werp actually meeting aeross the Oroua river, and it only seemed a matter of time when the river would be closed up. Mr. Monrad pointed out to Mr Pearce that the settlers in the Aorangi and Sluggish River Districts were much more interested in the river than those in the Manawatu Drainage district. The chairman said it depended on where the river broke through its banks in flood time as to which part of the country was in danger. The Board’s Engineer, Mr Armstrong, said the Surveyor-General was of the opinion that the only way effective works could be carried out was by forming a river board with special powers. ■Mr O’Lougblau thought planting willows would do good. Mr Knight said the money would not be wasted, and the planting would perhaps form part of a larger scheme The chairman said there were weak places in the Board’s own district where willows should be first , planted. . , On Mr Monrad’s motion, seconded by Mr Relf, it was unanimously ■ decided that the Board did not consider itself justified in taking any steps, but considered the time has arrived when a proper river board should be constituted for the control of the Oroua river.