FIXATION OF SAND DRIFT AT THE BEACH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4448, 6 May 1930, Page 3

FIXATION OF SAND DRIFT AT THE BEACH.

REPORT TO HARBOUR BOARD

At yesterday’s meeting of the . Eoxton..Harbour Board, the secretary (Mr 'R. Rangiheuea) submitted the following report relative to the establishment of marram nurseries at the Beach. — ..The fixation of much of the sand-drift area adjacent to the north of the Manawatu river is of primary importance either from a navigable or land-protective point of .view. To ignore this aspect of the question would be extremely short-sighted, more especially so in view of the fact that proposals involving a, large expenditure of money upon river improvement are now under serious consideration. The large accretion of land which has taken place adjacent to the river’s mouth within the memory of many of the residents of the district shows clearly that the coast line is advancing, and implies that large quantities of sand are annually being carried up by the sea and deposited upon the beach. It may be inferred therefore that this constant supply of fresh sand, unless controlled in some way, will prove a constant source of trouble in silting up the bar of the river, lu my opinion the control of the drifting sand on the foreshore for the distance of a mile on the north side of the river, and a like distance on the south side, as well as upon other areas, must be regarded as an essential part of the present scheme of river improvement. 'The following are the areas affecting the river: —(1) North side: Commencing at the river and following the old river channel to the coast, thence back to the starting point along the sea beach. (2) South side: —The whole of the Papangaio Block of 800 acres and part of the eastern end of the adjoining block, Rerengaohau, of 1220

acres. The foremost principle in sand fixation is to present a flexible but uniform obstacle to the wind-bourne sand, and I would recommend the building up of an artificial foredune on the sandy flat extending from the flagstaff or the present mouth of the river to the old riveroutlet by planting with marram to within 14 chains of high water mark. The bare hillocks should not. be planted at present, as from these a. supply of sand will be available for the marram nursery, which must of necessity be extablished in the old river channel, now known as the recreation reserve. The point requiring first attention on the south head is where the sand has been eroded close up to llie hillocks, and where tide and wind are causing a constant sup-

ply of sand to he carried into the river channel. Marram planting 1— should be undertaken in a manner similar to that for the north side. The fixation of the sand on this beach will lesson the drifts which are now taking place in the interior of the Papaugaio and Rerengaohau Blocks. In the interior of these blocks there is a number of drifts which can easily be fixed by planting with marram. One in particular is discharging sand into the river at Hartley’s Bend and this may be regarded as of primary importance in view of the permanent route of the river. At least 100 acres of the whole area will need to lie treated. 'if the proposals outlined in this report are adopted the propagation of sets of young, vigorous marram grass is the first work that should be undertaken, and I would recommend the establishment Of murrain nurseries in the old river bed to the west of Te Wharangi township. One acre of nursery marram planted one foot apart will in two years provide sufficient sets to plant about 15 acres, and planting may safely be done from May to August inclusive. The recreation reserve is recommended for marram nurseries for the following reasons: —(1) it is level and partially sheltered with sufficient sand drift to keep the grass healthy. (2) The iplantiug of marram will raise the level of the land to some extent, and prepare it for the introduction of other grasses and trees. When the sand is brought under control by the use of marram and lupin the work can be consolidated and made permanent by tree planting, i confidently anticipate that such a course will not only .fulfil the protective requirements, but will ultimately yield a crop of timber sufficient to liquidate the initial outlay and he a source of permanent profit. Of the accretion land there are about 90 acres requiring immediate treatment with marram and lupins. I estimate the cost at 30s per acre over all services. A good gang of three men, one using a spade and the other two planting, can plant two acres to two and a-fialf acres per day, of plants, spaced 3ft. apart and holes 9in. to a foot in depth. if marram nurseries are established one acre should be able to provide 450 bundles of 451 b. each. It was decided to hold the report over until next meeting.