MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3750, 4 February 1928, Page 3

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETpNG.

■The monthly meeting of the Ma-nawatu-Oroua River Board was held in Palmerston North on Thursday, presided over by Mr. W. S. Carter (chairman). Also present were A. Seifert, A. Buchanan, B. G. Gower, J. E. C. Harrison, J. Richardson and H. Barber. The Palmerston North Borough Council notified that permission to instal electrical flood recorders at the Fitzherbert Bridge had been granted. The secretary (Mr. R. H. Spencer), reported that rates still unpaid amounted to £331/4/2. After all accounts tabled were paid, the Bank credit would be £63/1/-. The -Board’s big scheme to prevent the overflowing of the Manawatu and-Oroua rivers during flood time, which has been held in abeyance for several months, was revised and after discussion, it was decided to approach the Public Works Department in an endeavour t to secure Government assistance in getting the scheme started. “I have received various letters,” stated the chairman (Mr. W. S. Carter), “asking why the Board did not do something. I have not replied to those epistles but have told the writers that the matter would > be discussed iby the Board at its next meeting. That is why I am bringing up the matter to-day.” Mr, Carter stated that it was recognised that the River Board could not undertake the proposed deviation of the rivers to prevent floods by itself, Government assistance was essential. He prophesied that after the present dry spell the district could look forward to a wet winter and he thought something should be i done as soon as possible to protect the lands from flood. He sug-* gested that a small committee be set up to take the matter before the Public Works Department. It was either a question of doing something or abolishing the Board, the * great difficulty in the river scheme was that the bulk of the work was to be done at the lower end which was thinly populated and could not bear such a big burden. The cost would have to be allocated over the whole district and he thought the Government would be willing to help if the cost was spread out. Mr. B. G. Gower: If the Department is willing to help let us do something soon. If they are not going to help us then the sooner they say so the better. We will then know where we are. It was decided that the chairman Messrs A. Seifert and A. Buchanan, with the engineer :(Mr. F. C. Hay), wait upon the chief engineer of the Department in connection with the matter.