WAIMAKARIRI RIVER.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16945, 21 September 1920, Page 7

WAIMAKARIRI RIVER.

DAMAGE TO NORTH BANK.

The chairman and members of the South Waimakuriri River Board visited the upper reaches of the river yesteiday to enquire into a complaint that the Dig No. Ift groyne was throwing the full force of the current over to the north bank, with a result that riparian property was being washed away. The party first of all inspected a locality at Kimberlcy, on the south bank, where the current is working iuto tue bank very badly. The land at this point stands high, but the water is carrying out an undermining action, wliicn brings down huge quantities of soil and shingle, leaving steep, bare cult's, fully fiftv feet high. During the last t\\ elve years it is estimated that iwentv-eight acres have fallen into the river. It was stated that the action ot the current in striking the south bank ac that spot was due to the erection of protective works on the north bank of tlio river, some distance further upstream, and the water so directed from the north bank to the south, by the forcc of impact, directed again fxom the latter bank to tho north bank again lower down, and so caused the damage complained of. ~ , The works on the north bank, which form the alleged origin of the trouble, were then' visited, and it was fountl that the protection so built was designed for the pui-pose of holding up the water at the intake built by the "WaimakarmAshlev Water Supply Board. "he intake is at a big rock bluff, known as Brown's Rock, and from the rock there have been built a series of groynes, which, whatever their original object, have had the effect of changing the stream from, its old course parallel until the north bank, across diagonally to the south bank, from whence it rebounded again on to the north hank. I As a result of the inspection, the ' opinion was expressed by members ot j tue Board present, that _ the damage complained of was due directly to the installation of the works at Brown s Rock, and that the big groyne ower > down had nothing to do with it, being quite removed from the series of lniluences leading the water over to the north bank. . , The river is at present being surveyed at the instance of the Commission appointed to carry out certam invent irrations, and to report on the question cf its future control. It is -uncertain whether the report of that Commi«"on will bo available before the session t closes, but the general opinion is that legislation will be introduced either this session or next, vesting tho control or both banks of the river in one Board, j At present only the south bank is under control