Rakaia River

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 16

Rakaia River

Sir,—Why cannot the Ministry of Works leave the Rakaia River alone? Every other salmon river touched by the Ministry has been ruined. No matter where they go a river either has to be dammed or its water shifted somewhere else. Can we not have just one decent useful river left alone? Do all rivers have to be reduced to dollar values? What about the people who enjoy the river? What about the future of salmon ranching? What about the Rakaia’s wildlife? Why not leave the Rakaia alone, after just all it is the last decent salmon river left. — Yours, etc..

PETER TYSON December 17. 1981.

Sir,—Public opinion is swinging against development of the Rakaia River. Proponents of the irrigation schemes have applied for such excessive amounts of river water yet still make pleas for common sense to prevail. Mr W. J. Lewthwaite, Ministry of Works irrigation; .. engineer, states: “There is no evidence so far of any likelihood of detriment to wildlife, fishery or ecological interests.” What are his thoughts on South Island rivers previously taken for irrigation and hydro development, the Ciutha. Waitaki, Opihi, Ashburton, Ashley and the Rangitata? Developers are now moving from the Waiau (closed at the mouth for the first time this year) to the Hurunui, the Rakaia is next in line. Surely it is common sense to leave this, the last major unmodified river in the South Island in its natural state. — Yours, etc., ROSALIE SNOYINK. December 17, 1981.