MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4501, 6 September 1930, Page 1

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The Manaw nta - O rovi n River Board met at Palmerston North on Thursday when there were presen: .Messrs \Y\ S. Carter (chairman), H. Barber, B. Cl .Gower, J. C. Hartison, 11. J. T. Hume., R. Law and 0. IT. Speirs. The board’s solicitor ( .Mr. P. Baldwin) and engineer (Mr. I'. ('. Hay) were also in attendance. The hoard resolved that the pumping plants be added to the works to be constructed under the modified scheme. Sueli plaids, il was deeide.d, should be placed a.l the main drainage outlet: of each subdivision, these to he of sufficient capacity to cusureNperfect drainage under all conditions. It was decided that the ValuerGeneral be immediately urged to supply the roll for the Malkerua subdivision as applied for on August 2(1, and that it he pointed out that the board could not classify the subdivisional sections until it knew what the position was in this regard. This information, it was explained, while in the hands of the Valuation Department was not in the possession of the hoard, and tlie (board’s rate roll was incorrect and incomplete because of the lack of information.

The Manawatu County Council advised that it had no objection to I lie board carrying out the undertaking as shown on the plan and specification of job No. 9.

The District Public Trustee was advised, in regard to No. 1 separate loan of £-950, that the loan was not yet through, hut that the date of commencement and the payment dates for the sinking fund instillments would be advised later. MOUTOA STOP BANK.

The. Moutoa Drainage Board wrote in regard to the construction of the stop bank near the Moutoa hall, stating that the following resolution had been carried unanimously: “That this board protests against the method of constructing the stop bank, it being weak and of insullieient height. At present it is a serious menace to ratepayers living adjacent to it and we maintain that the bank should he raised at least a further two feet and strengthened by increased width. As this new bank is opposite a depression in the land, it would be disastrous if a breach occurred.’’

It was decided to reply that the work referred to had been done efficiently, hut that the board had under consideration the carrying out of further work in that connection. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tito engineer reported as follows : “In regard to the re-classifica-tion of the district, this lias been completed and all details are iu hand Cor the board’s consideration. The principle laid down by the board that credit in the classification should be given for all existing works has been adhered to. I have gone over tire estimates Cor the modified scheme and find that there is sufficient reserve to provide, pumping plants for the main drainage outlets in each subdivision, and recommend that these be added to the works to be done under the scheme. The classification has been proceeded with on this assumption.

“Job 10: The completion of Coley's cut is being carried out and it is extremely desirable that the

Taupunga cut be enlarged without delay. The Hood last month showed the necessity for the enlargement and deepening of the cuts so •as to hasten the diversion of the river. Aratangata: The old wooden floodgate breached during the flood lias been repaired. The drain connecting Speirs’ property with Newman's drain is being taken up to within a few feet of the boundary fence, so that when a satisfactory agreement has been arrived at the job can be finished in a. few hours.” The report was adopted. THE VVfiuECKEtD DREDGE.

The question of the removal of the Eoxton Harbour Board’s dredge from the Manawatu river and the bridge* piles upon which it was wrecked recently came up for dismission and il was resolved to write to the river port authorities pointing out that complaints were being ma.de by ratepayers in the vicinity who were concerned with the possible damage to the baulks. It was also stated in the letter that the Public Works Department intended removing the dredge and the piles of the old Shannon bridge 'which had caused the wreck of the dredge while it was ibeing brought down from tthe Tokomaru stream.