PORT OF GREY

Grey River Argus, 11 January 1944, Page 2

PORT OF GREY

(To the Editor) .X Sir.—Regarding tne position of the Greymouth bar, it would appear that on previous occasions when similar conditions as those :to-da.v arose through practically the same set of circumstances as are present to-day, the commendable feverish desire to do something to put matters right and keep the port open was pre-eminent. So far as liar harbours on the West Coast are concerned, eminent harbour engineers have stated that such conditions as are now present might arise at any time with the same annoying result, and that the only corrective was the work of nature, following its own design of clearing obstructions by floods causing a sufficient current knotage to whittle the Destruction till it not only cleared the ways but at times gave a deeper and more definite channel than had existed previously. For instance, when the Harbour Board worked itself into an absolute frenzy when the bar depth was causing much genuine concern some thirteen years ago, the Board, in its anxiety to correct the position, considered a number of most fantastic means for clearing the bar. But, after a period of anxiety, heavy rain, caused a hefty flood and did the job well and truly, without collecting one penny piece for what it achieved. After all, why try to control the sea and wind and make tides flow and - recede, after the , manner of Canute, by giving the order? Be they ever so spectacular, even if practical possibilities seem a justification. amateur rulers of the waves cannot, even in their wildest dreams, hope to achieve, anything lasting. Considering the position from all angles, man can achieve little compared with nature’s means of overcoming obstructions by a simple flood. My vote would be cast everytime in favour of a flood, and something very unusual and contrary to the past history of the West Coast would be the persistence of prolonged periods without rain in a sufficient downpour to bring about the consummation devoutly to be wished. I am, etc., LEAVE IT TO JUPITER.