MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2769, 9 August 1924, Page 3

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

Air R.. T. Bell presided at, Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Ma-nawatu-Oroua River Board. Also present were Messrs W. S. Carter, If. Akers, A. L. Seifert, B. G. Gower, N. P. Nielsen, M. F. Anderson and 11. Wilton. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

In reporting on the different works carried out during the month, the engineer (Air F. C. Hay) stated that in regard to surveys, as far as practical results were concerned, I lie position of the surveyors’ contract was no further advanced than it was a month ago. The plans required had not been received, and consequently no design of tlie works from Opui to Ivarere was forthcoming. At a recent conference with the surveyors, the question of the completion of the plans was discussed, and there was some hope that the suggestions made would result in the plans coming to hand this month. The work of clearing the banks of the Oroua River was almost finished. In regard to the willows at Rangiotu, the Railway Department had cut the trees between the railway bridge and the Sluggish River Drainage Board’s main outlet, 'and made a satisfactory job. Regarding the blockage at Mangwhata Bridge, the Kairanga County Council would clear the piers of this bridge. No word had been received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands as to whether he would have cut the willows immediately above the Kopnno bridge.. In most eases, the settlers had cut their willows and made a good job of it. Where the work bad not been done at all, or ■only partially done, men had been at work and the result was that the whole jot) was practically to a uniform standard throughout. The channel of the Oroua had been much improved. There were snags in the bed, the removal of which would be beneficial. The road bridge at Rangiofn was the most serious obstruction to the flow, and proposals to remedy this would also be included in (lie estimate of the main scheme. The rail groyne" just below the Mangawhata bridge was a serious obstacle, and a menace to adjoining banks, and would cause trouble before long. The Sluggish River Drainage Board bad partially removed it Ini! there still existed about a chain of groyne, causing the obstruction. The removal of (lie groyne was not only necessary because it was an obstruction to (lie flow, and a menace to adjoining lands, but also because its non-removal was unfair to settlers who bad, at the Board’s instructions, done their bit in clearing their banjj&r It might cost between £3O and £4O to remove it. An inspection had been made of Tvoputuron, but the report bad been held over pending further discussion by the ratepayers. Nothing had so far eventuated as a result of the findings of the Boundary Commission when in Palmerston N. and permitting classification to be proceeded with. The work on Hawke’s Bay rivers bad been finished. In regard to erosion in the Makeraa Drainage Board area, an inspection bad been made and a report furnished to Messrs Carter and Bell. —Adopted. GENERAL. It was decided that the Board’s contractors be notified that if, ill fourteen days’ time the engineer was not able to report to the Board that the plans had come to hand satisfactorily, the contract would have to be determined. The chairman and engineer were authorised to approach the Department of Internal Affairs with a view to securing mi early decision in connection with the River Commission’s inquiries and also to appro-;-.ch the Public Works Department relative to the question of national interest in the Board’s proposals. Accounts totalling £167 0/5 were passed for payment,