CLEARING TIMBER FROM ERODING CREEKS IS URGED

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1950, Page 7

CLEARING TIMBER FROM ERODING CREEKS IS URGED

[SPECIAL REPORTER]

REEFTON, This Day.—The view that £lOO worth of preventive work was far better than the thousands being spent on river protection each year, was advanced by Cr P. JO’Regan, at yesterday’s meeting of the Inangahua County Council. Cr O’Regan said that every creek in the district had received “protection” but no effort had been made to keep the creek beds free from timber. He pointed out that creeks which had been kept clean kept to their courses, and gave no trouble whereas others were wandering all over the country, leaving expensive protection works high and dry. The council was discussing the deteriorating condition of Mai Mai creek, which it was reported, required to be straightened in several places. The job would be costly—probably too costly for the council to handle —and it would be wiser to have a full survey made first, it was stated. It was also stated that the creek was “ready” to divert from its course and to leave an expensive bridge high and dry. . The council agreed to give a trial to experiments in the creek.

The threat of the Maruia river completely to wipe out the farm of Mr L. Bruce, was also discussed by the council. The Ministry of Works reported that the work of saving the farm would be a costly and continual task. _ , , __ n The council decided to seek a £5O subsidy to allow immediate work to be carried out in the river. A report was received indicating that a three for one subsidy had been oranted by the Soil Conservation Council for the £4OO flood repair project at McMahon’s, Cronadun. It was indicated that the subsidy rate was not to be regarded as a precedent, and was conditional on the Inangahua river being cleared of snags. Though the Mines Department wrote disclaiming all responsibility for recent flood damage near the Burnwell mine, the council decided to' make further efforts to clarify its complaint. , A protest from Mr I. E. Scott, at work being carried out near Hukarere and affecting streams m the area, was referred to the foreman, Mr C. Jensen, for an inspection.