REPORTS MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 40, 27 November 1946, Page 3

REPORTS MADE

WORK IN ASHBURTON RIVER TO BE CARRIED OUT WHEN RIVER FALLS ■- * r • 1 0 wiitire (Own Reporter) "There does not appear to be any immediate threat tp the property, although the river is actually outside the cleared fairway,” said the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) in a report to the South Canterbury Catchment Board in Timaru yesterday on the position of the Ashburton River at Mr F. G. Oldfield’s farm at Winchmore. Mr Oldfield suggested to the last meeting that a pilot channel should be constructed to lead the river into the fairway. The river was running hard against his property and was endangering banks he had already erected. “At the present time the water level in the river is too high for any pilot channel work. I recommend that further investigations be made and the work carried out in the ordinary course of maintenance to divert the flow into the cleared fairway,” said Mr Milward. The engineer’s recommendation was adopted. Concerning the position of Mr J. Cairns 7 Winchmore, Mr Milward reported: “The river at this point is departing from the cleared fairway and bearing towards the northern side and if the flow is not arrested will endanger the newly-constructed stopbank. Remedial measures would consist of a pilot channel to direct the water back into the cleared fairway and authority is requested to carry out this work when the river is down to normal.” The authority was granted. Break in Stopbank A break in a two-foot stopbank at Winchmore, the subject of representations at the last meeting of the boaid, was reported on by Mr Milward, who said the- break occurred where the bank passed through a belt of heavy willow growth some chains in width. “On the day I made the visit the river was a few inches above normal, and portion of "the river water was still flowing through the break and across the property owned by Ferguson, Bland and others. Repairs to the bank could not be carried out by mechanical plant, as the ground surface has now become so sodden and waterlogged, and, in any case, should this break be repaired the next fresh in the river Would probably open another breach. When the water drops to normal it may be possible to divert the actual flow by a pilot channel in the river bed itself, and I recommend this course in preference to any attempt to repair the l break in the present bank. The recommendation was adopted. Mr Milward said that when the new level was down a bulldozer would be moved into the area to do all three jobs at- once. Other Complaints The complaint of Messrs J. Penrose, J. Carson, M. Smith and J. Baxter, concerning frequent and extensive flooding of their properties at Tmwaid was also dealt with by the- engineer. “The majority of the flood water is derived from ordinary surface rainfall run off between Tinwald and Timaru Track, and most of the natural gravitation is towards Carter’s Creek. There are, however, no properly defined channels through the properties, the •water being able to spread out across the properties until it is at the railway and conveyed to the railway culvert which accommodates Carter’s Creek flow. “The board’s drainage scheme for the Asliburton-Hinds area deals with the main channels only, and provision has been made for clearing Carter’s Creek; but the collection of the flood water in question cannot be made a charge on the Ashburton-Hinds drainage scheme. “The hoard’s divisional engineer at Ashburton will prepare a locality plan so that the details may be studied and remedial measures advocated. It would appear that a cut-off drain could be installed to collect all this surface water before it reaches the properties in question.” ' . It was stated by the engineer that a great deal could not be done until a plan of the whole area was available. The chairman (Dr P. R. Woodhouse) cofnmented that the cost of the work might be met through contributions from local ratepayers and by the Town Board.

Protection on Crown Lands Stating that after further thought he was not prepared to pay £2OO toward protection works on his property, the amount having been previously promised, Mr H. B. Hay (Mount Potts) said that he was not prepared to pay forjsuch work on Crown land. Concerning overflow at Clyde River, Mr A. A. Urquhart, “Erewhon,” Mt. Somers, advised that he was not prepared to make a contribution toward the cost of preventing the overflow, as in his opinion the Catchment Board ratings should meet these costs. If and when work was proposed in this locality in future the position would have to be reconsidered, said Dr. Woodhouse. The board’s engineer was instructed to inspect and report on the Ashburton River at the back of Mr Cartwright’s property on the Alford Forest Road. Mr Cartwright’s letter, contending that the river was an immediate danger to his property, was forwarded by the Ashburton County Council. “A short time ago a bulldozer was set to work on the Scots burn Settlement, over the fence from my farmdraining. Before any further work is carried out I wish to draw the attention of your board to the disastrous effect this work will have on my property,” wrote Mr H. S. McCully, Peel Forest road, Rangitata. The letter was referred to the engineer for a report. Expenditure on the AshburtonHinds drainage scheme up till October 31 was £14,757 Os 7d, according to a report made to the board.