MANAWATU RIVER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1104, 3 June 1913, Page 3

MANAWATU RIVER.

NEW BOARD TO BE FORMED. ■ Recently a meeting of river bank settlers near Foxton submitted to the Government schemes for:— 1. An Atiki-Motuiti diversion channel, re-entering the river at the apex of the bend in the rivet below Foxton.

2. A diversion channel, starting from about the Maori Church, Moutoa, and terminating near the rope works at Foxton. The; Minister for Public Works replied that this cut would be much shorter and less costly than the work recommended by the Commission, but it was objected to on the grounds that it would run through shifting sand. The Commission was satisfied that this was an unfavourable characteristic which would entail very heavy and recurring expenditure for maintenance. Another objection was that it would tend to reduce the depth of the water at Foxton. For these reasons it was regetted that the, committee’s requests for 1 a report by the Government could not be granted. Mr Xaw placed this letter before a meeting of the committee held 4t Palmerston on Thursday afternoon, when there were present: Messrs E. Eaw (chairman), W. E. Barber, W. B. V. Pearce, W. Hammond, P. Inge, F., Bryant, H. Akers, C. C. Higginson and E. J. Armstrong (secretary). Mr Pearce thought Mr Massey had mixed the two cuts up. The Himatangi cut that he bad referred to was entirely different from the one the committee desired to have done—the Moutoa cut, which ended near the rope works. The latter deviation would certainly deepen the channel at Foxton. The Chairman said he felt inclined to fight the matter more than he had ever done before, because the banking that was going on was bound to do some people harm. He considered la River Board should be formed to deal with the matter. It was quite evident that the desires of the committee had been misunderstood by the authorities. If a Board was formed, - it would show that the settlers meant business. It was some sixteen years since the question was first mooted, and at the present time, it was no further forward. Mr Akers objected to the scheme because the forming of the cut Would create such a tremendous current in the river that the banks would soon be < washed away. He would sooner have the floods than that.

Mr Pearce remarked that the letting of the water away would prevent floods and consequently there would be no scouring. On the motion of Mr Bryant, seconded by Mr' Inge, it. was decided to take the necessary steps to form a River Board.

The following were appointed a committee to determine the area which should constitute the Board’s district Messrs E, Law, W. B. V. Pearce, P. Inge, H. Aker, W. E/ Barber, H. Hammond, B. Gower, F. Bryant, C. C. Higginson, C. F. Johnston, F. Easton.