MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3762, 3 March 1928, Page 3

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

MONTHLY. MEETING. Th’e monthly meeting of the Ma-naAvatu-Oroua River Board Avas held in Palmerston North on Thursday, presided over by Mr. H. Akers. Also present Avere: Messrs R. Tanner, A. Buchanan, J.’ Richardson, J. E. :C. Harrison, and B. G. Gower.

Apologies for absence Avere received from Messrs W. S. Carter, and A. L. Geifert. BOURKE’G DRAIN DISPUTE.

Mr A. Buchanan reported that with Mr A. Seifert, he had met the representatives of the ManaAvatu County Council to discuss the question Avhich had arisen in connection with the Avork on the flood gate in Bourke’s drain. The bodies interested in the erection of the gate are the ManaAvatu Drainage Board, the Rairanga County Council, and the ManaAvatuOroua River Board. The ManaAA’atu Drainage Board proceeded with the erection of the gate yvithout submitting the plans to the ManaAvatuOroua River Board, Avhose engineer, Mia F. C. Hay, is not altogether in agreement Avith some of the proposed Avork.

Mr. Buchanan reported that, after discussing that matter .with Messrs Jiekell and Gilmore, Mr. Hay seemed to think that it would be in order to proceed \vith the Avork as long as a satisfactory parapet Avas put up on the- Manawatu side of the culvert. As far as the outlet Avas concerned, Mr. Jiekell had stated that it Avould be easy to construct another gate under the present structure if such was necessary. Mr. Hay had agreed to the Avork proceeding until he had had a further intervieAV Avith the engineer of the Public Works Department. Personally, said Mr. Buchanan, he thought that it Avas taking up too strong an attitude to make the work stop after so much money had been spent upon it. As long as the bodies concerned in the erection of the gate Avould agree to comply with Mr. Hay’s ideas, he thought it would be quite satisfactory for them to proceed Avith the Avork in the mean time. PROPOSED WORK UNSATISFACTORY.

Mr. Gower expressed the opinion that the Avork could have been done for half the money which had been spent. He Avas of the opinion that the gate Avould silt right up in times of flood. A member expressed the opinion that it was a pity such delay had arisen about the construction of the gate.

Mr. A. Buchanan stated that the bodies concerned in erecting the gate should have consulted the Ma-naAvatu-Oroua Board before proceeding with the Avork. Mr. Tanner Avas of the opinion that the Board had left its opposition a little bit late. They had knoAvn what Avas going on, but had done nothing until the Avork was half completed. Other members, hoAvever, expressed the opinion that the Board had not been cognisant of the state of affairs.

“It is a very strange thing that Mr. Hay began to raise opposition only when he crossed the bridge and suav the work going on,” said Mr. J. E. C. Harrison.

Members expressed ’their surprise at the manner of the construction of the gate and criticised its general lay-out. At this stage the discussion lapsed.

BOARD’S DRAINAGE SCHEME. In accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board Mr. A. Buchanan reported that Mi-. A. Seifert and himself had interviewed the chief organiser of the Public Works Department, Mr. A. Fitzherbert, with regard to the Boards proposed drainage scheme. Mr. Fitzheibert, reported Mr. Buchanan, had been disinclined to express an opinion until he had made more detailed investigations, into the position. Personally, said Mr. Buchanan, he thought the only way hQ get things done was to educate public opinion up to Mr. Hay’s modified scheme. The Board then went into committee .to discuss the proposed scheme further. FLOOD INDICATORS. The secretary reported that the new up-to-date electric flood-level recorders which the Board proposes to erect in the Manawatu and Oroua rivers had been ordered from England, although it was impossible to forecast the date of their arrival at present.