SELWYN RIVER.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20729, 14 December 1932, Page 16

SELWYN RIVER.

PROPOSED CLEARING SCHEME. COUNTY COUNCILS CONFER. Members of the Ellesmere and Springs County Councils met in conference at Leeston on Monday to consider a proposal to clear the bed of the Selwyn river of obstructions. Cr. John Heslop, chairman of the Ellesmere Council, was unable to attend through indisposition. Cr. J. S. Simpson, chairman of the Springs Council, who presided, said that one point which would have to be considered was whether the improvement should be dealt with in a small way or whether a comprehensive scheme should be adopted. A small portion had been done last year with good results. Cr. P. T. McMillan said that Cr. Heslop had suggested that the members of both bodies should inspect the riverbed from the Huts to tho bridge on the Main South road to determine what was necessary to be done. Some of the landowners, particularly at the lower end, were anxious that clearing should be undertaken. Tho question of a rating area had not been discussed, but if a big scheme were taken in hand a rating area would be a necessity. A small portion could possibly be cleared with unemployed labour. Tho removal of gorse and willows from the bed of the stream might bo all that was necessary. Cr. P. V. Bailey pointed out that even with unemployed labour there would be some overhead expenses. Government Assistance. The chairman said he understood that a good deal of assistance could be expected from the Government Departments if the work was to assist the unemployed. Mr E. L. Noale, clerk and overseer to the Springs Council, slated that Mr P. R. Climie, of the Unemployment Board, was interested in the scheme and was willing to-attend a further meeting, and to bring with him representatives of tho Public Works and Lands Departments. It would be necessary to have a survey made of the riverbed, and ho understood that this could bo douo at very little expense to the Councils. If the work were done by the unemployed there would be the cost of hiring traction engines for pulling out willows and of providing other plant and food for the camp. A comprehensive scheme would be better than doing a little here and a little there. It was generally agreed that something u-onld have to be done very soon. Cr. A. Anderson questioned whether the river would stick to a course if one were cleared. Tho chairman said that from tlie bridge at Ellesmere to Lake Ellesmere the channel was very shallow and restricted. This would have to be one of the first places tackled. The bit by the Huts was being rapidly filled with shingle. Willow trees seemed to be the greatest trouble, said Cr. McMillan. Cr. McMillan moved'that a survey should l>e asked for from the outlet of the river to the bridge on tho Main South road, for the purpose of making extensivo improvements to the river, and with a view to providing work for unemployed men. The motion was seconded by Cr. J. 11. Williams and carried. The application is to be made through Mr Climio to the Unemployment Board. On the motion of Cr. J. W. Kime a committee, consisting of Crs J. 11. Williams, P. V. Bailey, J. S. Simpson, R. T. McMillan, A. Anderson, and J. Heslop, was set up to inspect tho riverbed and take steps to further the scheme. Mr S. R. Wright, engineer to tho Ellesmere Council, was asked to act as secretary. Tho committee is to make an inspection of certain parts of tho river on January 6th, and Mr Climie and representatives of tho Government Departments interested are to be invited.