RIVER EROSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1016, 11 July 1911, Page 3

RIVER EROSION.

NEAR SHANNON BRIDGE. SUBJECT DISCUSSED BY HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL. At Saturday’s meeting cf the Horowhenua County Council, the erosion of the Manawatu river, near Shannon, cropped up. The Assistant under-Secretary of the Public Works Department furnished a report on the subject by the assistant road engineer. In this report the engineer stated that the person concerned most in regard to the erosion (in his opinion), was the owner of the land on which it was taking place, and he did not appear to have taken any steps to prevent it. It was forty-seven chains from the bridge by the river, and twentysix chains diagonally from the site of the erosion to the bridge. The intervening land was practically flat. The river had overflowed its banks at the same place from time immemorial, and at present the bed of the river was not above five chains in width. In his opinion, if left alone, the river would do all that was necessary and thus obviate the necessity of costly protective works, which were better avoided altogether unless built substantially. If it were decided to protect the bank, he would suggest, in the place of the groyne, that the river bank in the locality of the erosion be thickly clothed with willows. —The subject was held over for consideration at a later date.

At the same meeting a letter was read from Mr R, Moore (solicitor, of Foxton), stating that Messrs E. Piggott and J. Brown, of Foxton, had interviewed him in reference to an undertaking which they said the Council proposed in regard ,to the Manawatu river. They said that they were informed that the Council intended to erect a groyne in the river on the bank opposite to their properties, and a short distance above them. They apprehended that this would have the effect of throwing the current on to their properties and causing the latter to become wholly, or partly, washed away. They, therefore, suggested that if the Council carried out the proposed work it should be done in such a way as would ensure that no injury should be caused to their properties in consequence, or in the alternative the Council erect some structure on their side which would prevent the proposed groyne from injuring their lands. If damage were caused to their properties they would take proceedings. It was decjded to take no action at present.