BANKING THE MANAWATU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2480, 14 September 1922, Page 3

BANKING THE MANAWATU.

THE STEAM SHOVEL AT WORK. Our representative inspected the banking ‘operations being carried out, under the direction of the Makerua Drainage Board, at Moutoa, yesterday. Seen at a distance the “Marion” steam shovel has the appearance of a steam crane and works on a somewhat similar principle. The operations are at present being carried out on Mr W. Ross’ property, near the Poplar flaxmill. In order to get a close view of this wonderful digging machine, our representative had to cross the river, as operations are only being carried out on the Makerua side of the river at. present. Crossing the river in an aerial cage was quite a sensational affair. This aerial means of locomotion is used by the up-to-date Poplar Co. for conveying flax across the river to the mill. The shovel is worked by steam and is propelled along the bank on caterpillar wheels. The “shovel” has the appearance of a scoop with projecting steel teeth. It dips to the earth and is drawn forward, filling the scoop with a yard and a half of spoil which is then hoisted and deposited, with wonderful accuracy, wherever desired in the ' formation of the bank, a width at the base of 45 feet and about 10 feet in height. The shovel digs and removes about five loads per minute. The tally for last month was 38,000 cubic yards, thus completing 69 chains of banking. The cost works out at about 7£d per yard. About 18 miles of banking has already been completed, the complete scheme will tally about 46 miles. The bank for the most part is about half-a-ehain from the water’s edge and between the river and bank a deep canal is cut with breaks to prevent erosion by flood waters. Mr W. Ross objected to the canal system on his property and the bank along this section takes a gentle slope from the water’s edge, which will be suitably protected against erosion. The banks have every appearance -of withstanding the highest floods and will divert the floood waters from many hundreds of acres of fertile land previously subjected to inundation. The shovel is worked with a night and day shift and is under the supervision of Mr Bryce. Further details of the work will be published in a later issue.