MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3701, 8 October 1927, Page 2

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Mr. W. S. Carter presided over the regular monthly meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, held at, Palmerston North on Thursday. Also present were Messrs A. Seifert, R. Tanner, ,J. E. C. Harrison, A. Buchanan, B. G. Gower, H. Barber, J. Richardson, H. Akers and the engineer, Mr. F. C. Hay. The engineer submitted the plans for the proposed mew bridge at Shannon which lie had been obliged to ask for from the Public Works Department as they had not received the formal approval of the Board. The engineer advised that he thought the proposed plans very satisfactory and it Avas accordingly resolved that the formal approval of the Board for the proposed bridge should be forwarded to .the Public Works Department., Matters in connection with the late visit of the Minister of Public Works to inspect the Board’s Hood protection scheme were discussed and members'expressed the opinion that it was imperative to get the Minister to again review the position. It was accordingly resolved to appoint a small sub-committee to keep the matter before the Government and to arrange for a visit from a Departmental party as soon as possible in order that a further inspection of the scheme may be made. The following members were appointed to the committee: Messrs W. S. Carter, A. Seifert, A. Buchanan, and H. Akers. In connection Avith the proposed erection of electric indicators at the Fitzherbert bridge, it Avas mentioned that the total cost of he apparatus would bo about £2OO. The opinion was expressed that these indicators Avere essential to the farmers and that the matter was one of urgency. Members Avere also of the opinion that an indicator should be put up in the Oroua River at Feilding. The cost for the two indicators would be in the vicinity of £SOO. A member stated that the rates to raise this sum over the Board’s area Avould amount to less than 2d per acre. “I think that this Avould be the most popular thing the Board could do for the farmers,” said Mr. Buchanan who further stated that the initial cost of the work Avould be infinitesimal compared with the ultimate saving in connection with the protection of stock, etc. It was accordingly moved that an automatic gauge be erected at the Fitzherbert bridge and that a further gauge should be erected at a suitable point in the Oroua near Feilding. The motion Avas carried unanimously. Messrs H. S. Carter and B. G. Gower were appointed to accompany the engineer to Feilding in order to select a suitable spot for the erection _of the Oroua gauge. Accounts totalling £SB Avere passed for payment.