MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3980, 6 August 1929, Page 4

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Mr. W. iS. Carter presided at the regular monthly meeting of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board held at Palmerston North on Thursday. There were also present Messrs H. Barbejr, B. G. Gower, H. Akers, J. C. Harrison, A. Buchanan, R. Law and IP. |O. Hay (engineer). The chairman in reviewing the visit of a, deputation to Wellington, said that it had been considered heat to get the settlers actually suffering from floods to form a party to wait on .the Government. Approximately 20 members bad accordingly journeyed to Wellington to meet the Prime Minister and his colleagues, presenting the seriousness of the district’s position.

“Wje got a very sympathetic hearing,” proceeded Mr. Carter, “and we suggested that, as the time was opportune, it would be better if responsible officers could be sent to inspect the area. Sir Joseph W ; ard promised that this would be done and stated he would go into the matter thoroughly. Mr. P. W. Purhert, chief engineer fco the public works department had later- arrived on a tour of inspection.” RANGIOTU BRIDGE. The information that two concrete beams in the Oroua river bridge at Rangiotu were badly eradked and that recent measurements revealed a sag in the structure, was reported in a letter from the Ivairanga County Council. It was proposed to strengthen the bridge by building an extra pier, which should prove sufficient forth e next ten years, the county engineer explained, and as the control of the river came under the board, it was requested that approval be given to the scheme. A disteussion ensiiel upon this matter, the board’s engineer, Mr. Hay, pointing out that as the bgidgc crossed a narrow section, the pla*eing of piles, as proposed, would further obstruct the flow as dehris brought down by floods would collect and cause a. blockage. It was resolved that consequence of the fact that the bridge restricted the outlet of flood water and that the extra support to be erected below would further impede the river, the board regretted it could not agree to the proposal, in the interest of the ratepayers. PROPOSED LEGISLATION. A resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Boayd read as follows:. “That this board emphatically objects to the suggested amendment to the Ma-nawatu-Oa'Oua River Board’s Act, to allow various cuts adjacent to the Manawatu river. This board, submits that any cuts made should be at |he lower end of the river, otherwise residents in the tidal area will be'continually flooded! out; and further, that no cuts should be allowed until the fate of the main spillway scheme is known, and that work of a piecemeal nature should be avoided. A copy of this resolution he lodged at the Magistrate’s 'Court, Foxton, and one copy to be forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs.”

Mi*. G-ower stated that he had opposed this motion, but the chairman was. emphatic. The clerk of the House of Representatives acknowledged receipt ■of the hoard’s letter of July 29, covering the two deposited copies' and plans of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board Bill. The plans, it was stated, would have to be returned to the Clerk of the 'Court, as he had omitted to place his eeirtiiicate of deposit on thorn, but this would now be done from the office of the writer. Mr. Nash, M.P., had been notified that lie might now asik leave to introduce the Bill into the House.