PROPOSED FOXTON CANAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2009, 31 July 1919, Page 3

PROPOSED FOXTON CANAL.

At the sub-provincial conference of the Fai’mers’ Union held at Levin, the following remit was introduced by the Tiakitahuna branch: —“That in view of the fact that a big scheme for 1). aking the southern side of the Manuwatu river from Linton to Shannon is under consideration,this branch considers that a scheme he formulated either to straighten the river, or cut a channel from near Longburn to Foxton, This would eliminate the necessity and expense of banking both sides of the river, as the settlers on the northern side will certainly erect a bank to counteract the effect of the scheme now in progress. It is the opinion of this branch that banking the river will necessarily raise the bed and so force upon the settlers the continuous expense of enlarging both banks year after year.” Mr Neilson (Toakitahuna) said that if the flaxmillers concerned banked the river on the Shannon-Levin side, as was proposed, it would affect the property owners on the other side, and Ids branch therefore thought that some action should be taken.

Mr F. J. Ryder (Otaki) said llml the only method of keeping a river in its bed was by dredging. If they required a canal the site should he planted so as to keep the banks firm.

Mr J. A. MeLeavey (Palmerston North) said that the local bodies should be approached, as the matter was one that concerned them.

Mr McDonald (Te Horo) said it would be quite feasible to construct a canal from Foxton to Palmerston. Mr Ryder said that if the canal was constructed the Manawatu district would become the most productive and closely settled in the Dominion. Mr J. J. Lynch (Ashlmrst) said lie would like to see the scheme extended as far as the Gorge. The remit was adopted, and the conference recommended that before any steps are taken a meeting of the whole of the settlers interested and the local bodies in the district should lie called to consider the scheme, and the Government be requested to furnish an expert report on the matter.