Protection Work Held To Be National Problem

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1947, Page 8

Protection Work Held To Be National Problem

The fact that Hokitika’s danger was far from over and that the town was liable to be flooded again at any time was emphasised by Mr P. C= Blank; of Hokitika, at last evening’s meeting of the Westland Progress League, when reference was made to Hokitika’s plight. The town was seri - ously flooded yesterday when the rising river water was unable to reach . the sea on account of a sand-bar at the mouth of the river, and overflowed its banks, inundating the town. The president of the league, Mr W. D. Taylor, made reference to the unfortunate occurrence at Hokitika and his motion extending sympathy to the residents of the district, particularly those who had suffered damage, was adopted. He said he hoped that the offer of help, from the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, was not merely an offer of words but would be.transformed into action to ensure that there was no repetition of Hie disaster. National MatteiMr Blank said that the damage had been considerable and he felt that something should bo done to get at the cause of the overflow and to find a remedy. Immediate assistance was required and the remedy was beyond the finances of the district. It was definitely a national matter. “This is going to happen again, for the bar can silt up in a matter of hours, and the waters will soon back up,” he added.

It was suggested that it was a little premature to make recommendations as yet, and it was decided to .wait until the Works Department rivers engineer, Mr Grant, had inspected the area, before moving in the matter. Mr Blank referred to the damage suffered by the mail in the Hokitika Post Office by the flood, to which menace there.was no immediate solin tion, and suggested..that, this would strengthen the league’s case for the! immediate construction of a new building.

It was resolved to draw the attention of the Postmaster-General (Mr F. Hackett) to the position and ask that urgent attention he given the plan.

Need For Engineer

“Does not the flood prove the necessity for the West Coast to have a district P.W.D. engineer of its own in preference to being linked with Canterbury?’’ asked Mr W. F. Harley. “I think it was wrong to transfer the engineer from the Coast with its floods and slips that urgently require his immediate presence. This morning’s flood would require a telephone call to Christchurch and it would take hours before the engineer could arrive on the scene. As it is, he only comes here two days a month and spends one with the Catchment Board,” he concluded, moving that the league press for the reinstatement of the district engineer’s office. “This district is too big Io be rim with Canterbury,” said Mr Taylor. The motion was adopted.