EROSION OF RIVERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8204, 29 July 1915, Page 3

EROSION OF RIVERS.

CENTRAL COUNCIL TO BE ESTABLISHED.

(Per Press Association).

WELLINGTON, July 28

'A discussion on the need for taking somo effective steps to prevent damage by erosion- of rivers took place in the House of Representatives to-day. In a, recent report on' the subject Mr •Furkert; an engineer in the. Public Works Department, recommended that a council be set tip to deal with the prevention of damage by flooded rivers and the control of rivers in flood time.

Replying .to a question l>.v Mr W. 11. Field, the Minister for Public Works said that this report would be laid upon the table of the House, and that the Government was considering the question of establishing such a council Mr W. H. Field said the control of rivers by local river boards was likely to prove ineffective and cumbersome, and there was no work at which money could be wasted more freely and at which more positive harm could be done by amateurs than at this work of controlling rivers. The " Hon. W. Fraser. Minister of Public Works, said that the subject was one of the most important any Government could take up, and if it were not taken up now there was going to be very great trouble in future in controlling rivers. When floods occurred now in certain rivers the amount of valuable land washed away and the damage done to roads and bridges was j very heavy indeed, and this damage would be very much greater in future unless the matter was dealt with in a comprehensive manner. He believed it was the intention of the Minister of Internal Affairs to introduce legislation tin's session to. deft! with the question in a comprehensive way by the establishment of a council or something of the sort.

Mr Ell and Mr Macponald both expressed satisfaction with the Government's intention, agreeing with the Minister that the matter was becoming one of extreme urgency all over New Zealand.