PALMERSTON NORTH RIVER BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6544, 28 February 1928, Page 9

PALMERSTON NORTH RIVER BOARD

The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North River Board was held yesterday, the Mayor (Mr. A. J. Graham) presiding. Also present were trustees' W. L. Fitzherbert, Jos. Batchclar, W. E. Hopcroft and M. A. Eliott. ■ Correspondence. Prom Defence Headquarters, Palmerston North stating that if it was the intention of the Board to continue the scheme of river protection already initiated. Along other parts of tho | river, by felling the willows towards tho water, the Board had permisison to proceed on. similar lines on tho Hokowhitu Rifle Range reserve. Prom the Palmerston North Borough Council granting permisison to cut and use willow cuttings on the Councils’ property for river protection purposes. From Mr. J. Ford granting permission to utilize trees growing on hia property for river protection purposes, j provided shelter is left for his house [and stock. I From the registrar, - Massey Agriculj tural College, advising their intention of removing a considerable quantity of metal for use in tho construction of factory buildings, and giving authority to the Board to arrange to remove any further metal afterwards Engineer’s Report. The engineer ’s report was as follows: - ■ Cresswell’s Erosion. No. 2 groyne is completed, length 108 feet, cost £ll2/17/-. ,The work of battering the river bank between - No. 1 and 2 groyne and - the planting thereon of angular submerged willow poles, fascined, is completed,-’ length 5 chains, cost £l7/6/3. Total cost of works on this crpsion £3Ol/16/1. ‘Mr. D. Crosswell very generously supplied anil hauled the' trees for these works, to whom a letter of thanks- from, the Board is due. 1 Ford’s Erosion, No. X intermediate subsidiary groyne, between Nos. 2 and 3 groyne is ; completed,-length 72ft, cost £B/8/8 No. 3 groyne is in course of construction. Tho work of battering tho river bank between Nos. 2 and 3 groyne, together with the planting and faseining of' angular submerged willow polos is completed, length 3J chains, “cost £l9/13/3. ‘ Regarding Mr Baldwin’s personal request at your last meeting on behalf of a client in the matter of river protection. As instructed the matter was duly investigated and concurrence of agreement expressed that the works as lately constructed by the board, afforded adequate and'complete protection at present to the property concerned. With reference to an application by J. Lane to remove shingle from the lower end of Fitzroy diversion channel. This being in the interests of tho Board’s channel improvement scheme, and to facilitate operations, after, consultation- with ‘ tho chairman on the matter, his ‘application was granted subject to my directions. I ask tho Board to. endorse my action. Child Bros, have completed the installation of their mechanical drag lino dredge, for the purpose of lifting shingle from the river channel above Albert street. Operations in this respect are subject to tho sole control and direction of the Board as specified by tho Board in granting their application for tjic purpose mentioned. The river has recoded to a level 12} inches below ordinary summer level, being 3} inches lower than recorded a month ago; and during the interval on the 12th inst a rise of 7} inches was recorded, and considering this addition the fall of 3} inches over a month is significant. Regarding the new willow plantations in respect to those on the higher level of the river bank is adversely affected by the protracted spell of dry weather- and a certain loss is inevitable. General. It was decided that the members of the Board make a tour of the works in progress next Monday morning.