SAND DRIFT AND AFFORESTATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2634, 18 September 1923, Page 2

SAND DRIFT AND AFFORESTATION.

AS AFFECTING RIVER OUTLET

INSPECTION BY COYERXMEN'I CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS.

Mr H. A. Goudie, Government Conservator of Forests, made an inspection of the sand dunes and drift area at the month of the Manawalu River yesterday and was accompanied by Air F. C. Hay, engineer to the Alanawatu-Oroua River Board and Air J. Linklater, ALP., chairman of the Harbour Board. The object of Ihe visit was to investigate the best method of the fixation < f sand drifts and the afforestation of a large waste area, also to prevent Ihe shoaling of the navigable channel from drifting sand.

The problem of preventing sand from drifting into the river along the lower reaches, is one that, has an important hearing on the proposed drainage scheme by the Ala-nawatu-Oroua River Board. In order to obtain the co-opera-tion of the Forestry Department, the River Board asked that an officer he sent to inspect Ihe locality find i eport on Ihe matter. Willi commendable promptitude, Air Goudie arrived yesterday. If was proposed to traverse the river hv launch from the wharf to the heads, hut a machinery breakdown on the Harbour Board’s launch prevented this and the party motored to the Heads and crossed the river in a boat. Mr Goudie traversed the sand dimes on the south side and the sand dime wastes were pointed out also the positions of the two proposed cuts. From an elevated position the proposed course of the river was pointed out and the sand drifts indicated. Mr Goudie obtained data in connection with the prevailing winds. He said if the port was to he protected for shipping and the navigable channel kept within fixed limits. immediate action was necessary to prevent the sand from deflecting (lie course. It would lie necessary to treat the north side of the river which was causing trouble, in detlecting the current. There was no reason why the drift could not be successfully dealt with. The large area lo the south could be utilised for afforestation purposes. He said before submitting a report he would make a further examination of the country.