RIVER CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 26 July 1937, Page 2

RIVER CONTROL

PALMERSTON NORTH BOARD. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. The monthly'"meeting of the Palmerston North River Board was held to-day, Mr A. E. Hansford presiding. Also present were Messrs G. Tremaine, Jos. Batclielar, J. T. J. Heatley and J. Hodgens, M.P. The clerk reported that an application had been made to the Government for 10 men for two months under the Employment Promotion Scheme at award rates of pay. The foreman said it was intended to use the men on the plantations. Mr Heatley was of the opinion that the men could be used to better advantage, such as removing log obstructions from the river. Admittedly, lie said, the plantations required attention, but log obstructions were a source of danger. Mr Hansford agreed, but pointed out that the labour could not be used for what was ordinarily the board’s maintenance work. However, lie thought the Government would be reasonable. Mr Hodgens said log obstructions created an immediate problem requiring immediate attention. Such obstructions, if left, could lead to no end of trouble, and he did not thifik the Government would adopt the attitude that such work was ordinary maintenance. The board itself was restricted in its finances; and often could not deal with obstructions.

The financial statement showed a debit balance of £322 6s lid. The payments since the beginning of the financial year totalled £793 19s lOd. while receipts were £471 12s lid. including a balance of £4 Os 8d carried forward from the previous year. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The foreman (Mr A. Lane) reported as follows: “The repairing of the breaches that occurred in the willow banks last month at Gosling’s West and Cresswell’s Bend above Child Bros.’ shingle works with heavy tree work and stone ballast has been carried out, the cost being £B3 10s. The cutting and cartage of bluegum' timber from Boundary Road and Milson’s Line to various groyne sites is in hand. Sufficient timber.will be available from these two places to complete the groyne works authorised tor this year. The removal of the lupin growth on the various foreshores and the planting of the willows where necessary are well in hand. With good weather conditions I hope to complete this work by the end of the present month. On the completion of the cutting and cartage of bluegum timber, n start will be made with the driving of the piles for the second new groyne authorised at Anderson’s Bend. During the month the weather and river conditions have been excellent for the progress of the works, the highest rise being 7ft Gin on the 18th instant.”