River Erosion Outside Board’s Area

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 217, 13 September 1940, Page 8

River Erosion Outside Board’s Area

REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO MINISTER Representations concerning the necessity for protective work at Stuart’a Bend, Whakarongo, to combat erosion by tho Manawatu River, were made to Hon. R. Semple (Minister of Public Works) by the Palmerston North River Board yesterday. The Minister, who was paying a visit to Palmerston North, was waited on by members of the board and later inspected the locality. The Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford), who is chairman of the River Board, told the Minister that the board was confronted with the position that Stuart’s Bend was outside its district and to put it in a safe condition would entail an expenditure which could not be met by the board. When a deputation from the board had waited on the Minister some time ago, he had expressed himself as being iu favour of a grant, provided that the area was within the control of a responsible spending authority. The position now was that, if something was not done before next winter, there would be a considerable amount of danger, which could eventually affect the city. Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., said that the board had authority to d'o work only iu a given area, and the work which il had already done was jeopardised by a scour above the board's boundary. Tens of thousands of pounds had been spent in past years, only to go down the river to Foxton, and the board did not want to see the money it had spent on protection work in recent years also go down to the sea.

In reply, Mr. Semple pointed out that the Government had limited powers under existing legislation, and until a change was made, nothing could be done unless the settlers concerned asked for it. He had been hoping to have new legislation put through last session, but because of more urgent business requiring attention, its introduction had been postponed. The Mfhister then accompanied memDers of the board to Stuart's Bend ane. was shown the erosion taking place, having explained to him the nature of protective work that could be undertaken. He was also taken to Mcßae’s Bend at Te Matai, which is within the board's area, and there saw the groyne system that the board had installed.