RIVER PROTECTION.

Shannon News, 9 August 1929, Page 3

RIVER PROTECTION.

MANAWATU-OROUA BOARD. MB FURKERT INSPECTS DISTRICT . The monthly meeting of the Mana-watu-Oroua River Board was held on Thursday, Mr W. S. Carter presiding. Also present were Messrs A. Buchanan, B. G. Gower, H. Akers, J. C. Harrison, . R. Law and H. Barber. Permission was sought by the Kairanga County Council to place • two ■' piles in the Oroua River to support the bridge at Bangiotu as it was sagging in the centre. The placing of the piles in the river was the only way in which the bridge could be safeguarded from collapsing. Mr F. C. Hay (engineer) pointed out that it was unfortunate that the bridge was over a narrow sector of the river. The placing of he piles would further obstruct the flow of the river, " by reason of the fact, that logs and other material brought down by floods ~- vvould be held there and create a blockage. The Board were of the opinion that \ no possibility of a blockage of the river could bo allowed and regretted , . that permission could not be given, for the work. The bridge already restricted the flow of the river to an extent, it was stated, and the placing of the piles would further impede the velocity of the water.

MR FURKERT INSPECTS WORKS. Mr Hay reported that Mr F. W. Furkert, engineer-in-chief to the Public Works Department, had inspected the ; Board’s district on Monday. Mr Furkert had promised to pay a further visit at an early date, in order to obtain further details to enable him to complete his report to the Government on the Board’s proposed modified scheme of protection. ■ Mr Carter stated that about 20 of the Board’s ratepayers had gone to Wellington and had met the Prime Minister and his colleagues on the question of the Board’s modified scheme. The seriousness of the flood position had been pointed out and the deputation , had received a very sympathetic hearing. As the time .was considered opportune, the deputation had asked that responsible Government officers should inspect the Board’s area. Sir Joseph Ward had promised te do so and to go into the matter thoroughly. The result had been Mr Furkert’s visit, and probably other officers would also make an inspection.