HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 June 1933, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[OUB OWN COBRESPONDENT.] HOKITIKA, June 10. A. public meeting, convened by the Hokitika Harbour Board was held in the Town Hall last evening, to consxder what can be done in the matter of diverting the river to its northern channel. Among those present was Mr. O’Brien, M.P. Mr. E. W. Heenan (Chairman Hokitika Harbour Board) presided, and explained the reason forcalling the meeting. He pointed out the difficulty of berthing shipping owing to the shoaling of the berthage; also the danger to the town by the silting up of the river’s mouth. He referred to the visit of Mr. Johnston, engineer, who reported about a yearago that the work could be done then for £l2OO. 1 Mr. Radford said he had been watching the results of the work done some time ago. The debris was being carried down the south gradually narrowing the river All rivers exxtering an ocean will tend their current to the prevailing wind. He advocated putting across the upper end of the north stream a sort of a spillway dam, carrying no debris, and dredge the berthage and deposit the spoil oxx the island. The Chairman pointed out that drains entex- the river . above where the dam is proposed to be put. Mr. Cuttance produced a plan ot the river, and advocated breaking the bank ixear the Hokitika —Kanieri sawmill, and let more water down the north channel, to break through near Kortegast’s. Mr. W. Millner, County Overseer, outlined a scheme which he said would cost only about £lOO. Mr. D. P. Stuart suggested drag lines be employed, and the spoil put in the south channel. Mr. Mclntosh said he could remember when the main river came down on the south side. It then changed its course and came down the north channel, and he recalled the days of the “Maori mill” at Arthurstown, and the timber being punted down the river to the wharf. He suggested that a wall be erected across the south stream, thus giving more water to the main streaxn, and blowing out the bank between the middle and north stream. He did not agree with Mr. Millner’s plan. The cost of erecting the dam he proposed would be about £2OO. For deepening the berthage he suggested a pump, and allowing the debris to wash away. Mr. Radford doubted whether the velocity of the water- at the berthage, would be sufficient to carry away the gravel that would be brought down. Mr. G. Howe, signalman, said that during the last two floods the river had come over its own width. He suggested that a row of piles be put in the middle channel, above Butland’s Island, would be the best means of diverting the river. The Chairman suggested that a subcommittee be set up to consider- the matter ,and invite the Engineer to be All f*. Mr. O’Brien explained that he had wired to Mr. Samson on the matter, and he would do his best. He said that unless something was done there would be no harbour. The harbour does serve a purpose iix Hokitika. A committee should be set up to consider a scheme. If £4OO can be found, the Unemployment Board will assist. If •it can be proved that some good is to be done, they may get a grant from the Public Works Department. He understood that Mr. Johnston said the job could be done fox- £l2OO. Tlie Mayor said that the Borough Council view the matter seriously. What Mr. Mclntosh said was correct about the vagaries of the river. He thought that the meeting could come to no definite decision. Many schemes had been proposed, but any scheme taken must be approved by a qualified engineer. The Chairman moved that a committee, consisting of Messrs. Radford, Millner, Mclntosh, the Mayor, and the Chairman be set up to meet the Engineer and discuss the matter. Seconded by Mr. Warren, who thought the Borough Council should bear 40 pex- cent, of the cost, the Harbour Board 40 pex- cent., and the Westland County Council 20 pex- cent of the cost.

Mr. Houston said it was but beating the air to talk finance before a concrete proposal was fixed. The Chairman thanked all for their attendance, especially Mr. O’Brien, who promised to interview Mr. Johnston (Engineer). As the outcome of a meeting held in All Saints’ Hall, a Badminton Club was formed to be known as the Hokitika Badminton Club. The following officers were elected: —Patron: Dr. E. Teichelmann; President: Dr. B. Wilson; Vice-Presidents: Miss R. Mandi, Matron Anderson, Mrs. J. Butland, Messrs. W. E. Williams, W. J. McIntyre and Dr. Childs; Secretary and Treasurer: W. J. Butland; Committee: Misses J. Davidson, J. Stevenson and Mrs. D. Wilson, Mr. A. Perry, the President and Secretary. Club Captain: Dr. Okey. It was decided that the club consist of forty players—twenty of each sex. The ladies’ section is already full. The matter of fixing fees was left till the costs were ascertained.