PROTECTING THE MANAWATU RIVER AND BAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3945, 21 May 1929, Page 3

PROTECTING THE MANAWATU RIVER AND BAR.

— 4 MIR, R. EDWARDS SUGGESTS TREE PLANTING SCHEDIE. At yesterday’s meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board Mr. R. Edwards, Government representative on the Board, in makirjg a few observations in connection with the work of the Board, said that he was pleased to see the amout of planting that had been carried out at Manawatu Heads. He considered tree planting was an absolutely necessary j>art of the Board’s work. He had given evidence at commissions held in' connection with the Manawatu River and had gained considerable experience about it and in his opinion the present condition of the bar was due to two causes. One was that Hoods caused silting in the channel and bar and the other was that thousands of tons of sand was being dumped into the river at v the Heads annually by erosion and the effects of the south-west winds. Of the latter nuisance little could be done with limited means. The Board was not richly endowed and consequently had very little revenue at its disposal. The port of Foxton was a very important one and he regretted the treatment that it had received with regard to endowments. With regard to the sand nuisance it was within the power of the Board to remedy this and his suggestion was that they should seriously consider the question of acquiring the right over a strip of land half a mile long reaching from the Heads to Hartley’s Bend on the southern side of the river and have it planted immediately. By covering this area with verdure the sand would be prevented Horn eithqr blowing or being eroded into the river and a serious nuisance would be abated. At the present time lie considered that the depth of water on the bar had been lessened by two feet owing to this trouble alone. There was ample lupin and silver poplar procurable for planting purposes. This could be used to start with and later, when shelter was obtained!, more suitable tribes producing a better class of timber, could be planted. “If it is necessary, and it seems to me that it will he, to again find employment for men in this district again this winter,” said Dlr. Edwards, “the Government may be induced 'to set up a relief camp at the Beach and take charge of the planting.” The work of preliminary planting would need to be commenced immediately and the sooner this was done the sooner the bar and river at the Heads will im-

prove. Mr. Edwards moved that a committee consisting of the local committee he set up to interview the owners of the land on the south west side of the Manawatu River at Manawatu Heads and down as far as [Hartley’s Bend, with a view to obtaining the right to plant a strip of land immediately, and that the secretary enquire into the titles of the land and make nn-angements for a supply of seeds and plants for the carrying out of the work.

The motion was carried and on Air. Nash’s suggestion Mr. Edwards was added to the committee.