MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3033, 8 May 1926, Page 3

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Ma-nawatu-Oroua River Board was held at Palmerston on Thursday, there being present: Messrs W. S. Carter (Chairman), B. G. Gower, J. H. Wilton, IT. and A. Akers, N. P. Nielson and A Seifert. A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging receipt of the board’s letter relative to the question of benefit received by the board from the works of the Makcrua Drainage Board. In reply it was stated that the question of including this matter within the scope of the commission’s inquiry would receive careful consideration. The letter was received, the chairman and other members agreeing that this was a matter coming within the scope of the commission. A discussion ensued at the delay of the commission. The works of many local bodies, said Mr. Gower, were being held up pending the findings of the commission as determining the future of the board. “A number of people are sick of it,” he added, when further stressing the necessity of expediting matters. It was decided to write to the Department of Internal Affairs asking when the commission would be appointed. The chairman intimated the he would make a personal call on the authorities. INFORMATION OF FLOODS.

The Mcutoa Drainage Board wrote requesting the ManawatuOroun River Board to send to tho former early information of the rise of the Manawatu river at Woodville in Hood time, such information being urgently required hour by hour when a big Hood was threatening. It was decided to take steps to accede to the request made in the letter,

The matter of the river levels during the past few days was briefly discussed, but it was made clear that there had been no approach to Hood conditions.-

Mr. Gower suggested that the board should secure river level readings from a point much higher up than Fitzherbert bridge in order to give settlers a longer period of warning. Gauges could well be placed on the Manawatu, Oroua and Pohangina rivers, said Mr. Seifert, who pointed out that often one river rose much more than another. Devices automatically registering river levels at the nearest post office had been suggested, he reminded the board.

“Everyone is saying that we are doing nothing,” said the chairman, who directed the attention of the meeting to the automatic devices which previously it had been proposed to install. Mr. Nielsen, moved that subcommittee arrange for daily readings of the Fitzherbert bridge levels and for the information to be available to the settlers and the press. The motion Avas carried, and Messrs H. Akers, A. Seifert and the secretary (Mr. R. 11. Spencer) Avere appointed the committee to make the necessary arrangements in respect to telephoning and other matters.

At the suggestion of Mr. H. Akers it was decided at a later date to consider securing regular readings from the Manawatu Gorge.

Mr. Wilton alluded to a complaint that some settlers Avere not cutting AvilloAvs as required along the Oroua river. Cutting of Avilloavs along certain lengths had caused the water level to drop two feet, he stated, and those who had obeyed the board’s notice resented others failing to do so, and thus causing scouring of the properties where trees had been cut away. It Avas decided to enforce the board’s decision. The annual financial statement shoAvcd a bank overdraft of £460, with assets estimated at £713 19s od. The assets Avere made up of £l4 10s, rates outstanding since March 31, 1925, £229 2s 2d rates struck since that date and outstanding, £317 5s Id in suspense and direct accounts, £35 Is 5d sundry debtors, £44 0s 8d plant, and £74 0s 5d office furniture.