IMPROVING THE RIVER FAIRWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4422, 4 March 1930, Page 2

IMPROVING THE RIVER FAIRWAY.

'COLONEL WHYTE TO REPORT ON I'SE OK EXPLOSIVES.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Koxton Harbour Board the secretary (Mr. R. Rang'iheuea) reported that the most annoying stretch of water to navigate in the Manawatu at the present time was the crossing at Robinson’s No. 1. Since the January flood this crossing- had given ships mulch Irouible during neaptides when an easterly wind was blowing. Last week a depth of less than sft. bin. at the crossing was recorded, due to a large extent to (lie easterly then blowing. The position was however, somewhat aggravated by the freciency ol shipping daring neap-tides and there would be less anxiety in this connection during the springs. The means for improving the fair-way was very limited as unless the River Service boat was continuously kept harrowing the bed of the channel no satisfactory results could be expected. Even then the beneliL from 1 p, is ■ experiment was doubtful and costly and Ihe engineer-in-charge had, on more than one occasion, expressed himself as very doubtful as to the benefit which accrued. Last Friday, continued the report, two charges of gelignite were tired where the least water was obtained in the hope of causing a scour. Wiliat was required, however, was a dozen or more charges and if the Board was of opinion that the experiment was worthy of a further trial then a plentiful supply of explosives would he obtained.

The secretary said that really what was required was a suitable dredge to undertake flic work, and that tinkering about in the manner outlined was really only temporarily putting off the larger undertaking. He had been iu touch with the Defence Authorities on I lie advisibility <»i* the use ol! "ini eotlon but (lie Department had suggested inspecting the work before expressing any opinion on the mutter.

Mr. Edwards said there was very little difference in the use of either explosive mentioned, but expressed a doubt ns to any benefit accruing from tin- proposed method of deepening the channel.

On the suggestion of Mr. Nash ii was decided to ask Colonel Whyte to report on the subject.

SERBH'S RIVER EROSION AT

ROBINSON'S BEND,

Air. \V. E. - Barber drew the Board's attention to the serious river erosion which was taking place at Robinson’s Bend where the river has now eaten its way into the pine plantation and was endangering the Beach Road. Mr. Barber contended that this was the cause of a good deal of the trouble iu connection with the silting up of the river in the vicinity of Robinson's No. L The chairman said that the matter would soon he one of concern for the Mannwntu County Council unless some steps were taken to arrest the rapid erosion.