RIVER OBSTRUCTIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 131, 3 May 1940, Page 6

RIVER OBSTRUCTIONS

REMOVAL OF STOPBANKS. PEOPOSALS BEFOEE BOAED The removal of some disused stoi> banks which may obstruct the flow of the Manawatu ltiver was approved by the Manawatu-Oroua River Board at a special meeting to-day. The proposals were recommended in the report of a special committee set up to inspect the areas affected, and were discussed in detail by the board. Those present were Messrs J. Oallesen (chairman), H. Seifert, W. Jacuson, B. G. Gower, W. E. Barber, S. Parsons and It. J. Law. The removal of five obstructing stopbanks and the deepening of 10 chains of the Xaupanga Cut were desired by the board, anu the committee recommended that the necessary legal steps be taken immediately to lower two lengths of 18 chains and five chains, respectively, of the old Parekawau Point stopbaiiK, and that the board approach the Government requesting that the lower stopbink opposite the base ot Parekawau Point be either set back or lowered. Further recommendations provided for the lowering of the Koputaroa Cut, a stopbanic on 16 acres ol the Taupanga No. 2 Cut, and the removal of 35 chains of bank oil a point beyond the Taupanga No. 1 Cut. It was recommended that preliminary steps be taken to deal with the hank on Poplar Hill, but not to proceed with the removal of this bank until all the lower, work in this schedule is carried out. The board was recommended to lake over the Taupanga Cut and be responsible for it and the engineer to accept a tender for the deepening ol 111 chains of it. As a general improvement in the waterway over a considerable length of river was required, it was suggested that all works m the schedule should be proceeded with without avoidable delay, the furthest upstream work to be carried out last. REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT. Further recommendations were that lands required for channel improvements ho purchased and charged to the whole board and not to any individual subdivision, and also that land in the Koputaroa Cut anu 16 acres adjacent to the Taupanga Cut be taken over by the whole hoard. It was also recommended that representations bo made to the Government that, because ol the st-rioua constriction of the river caused by the erection of a mile ol stopbank very dose to the river edge, in places less than half a chain around the flax research aiea, relief be provided by lowering by three feet the present lip of the-spillway between the flax research area and the proposed Koputaroa Cut upstream. Because of silting this lip was within about 18 inches of tils .neigtiv ut tne stopbamis just upstream. Mr Seifert said that the Makerua Drainage Board Uesireu to know exactly the effect of all this work, as it would affect the Makerua Board and the latter was obtaining a surveyor’s report. Mr Jackson said that under the proposals he could not see that settlers were going to be any better off unless relief was given further down. If a flood came to-morrow the whole of the Makerua, Buckley’s and Moutoa areas would be in a bad position. A flood more than- 14ft Tin could not be withstood now, whereas formerly a flood of 17ft could he withstood. If relief could not be given lower down, why should more money be spent on these proposals, probably involving a thousand pounds or sop Mr Law said that the proposals were part of the work which would have to lie done later. The engineer (Mr IT. R. Farquhar) said that, the obstructions were tin obvious things that should first be removed in the river. On the motion of Mr Law, the re commendations of the committee were carried by the hoard. Messrs Jacksoi. and Seifert did not vote, having no instructions from the Makerua Drainage Board. The chairman said that the motion would enable the engineer to go ahead immediatelv with work on the Taupunga Cut. The chairman and Mr Farquhar were appointed to go into details of tin. cost of taking over the 63 acres o> land owned by the Makerua Drainage Board which would be affected by the scheme.