CATCHMENT BOARD

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1945, Page 4

CATCHMENT BOARD

FIRST MEETING AT GREYMOUTH. Mr W. Clayton (Inangahua County), was elected .^ hairl the newly-elected Westland District Catchment Board, when it met the first time at Greymouth on F iday -Cther members of the Boaid present were Messrs W. Fisher, JRvan (Grey County); F. F. Bous tridge, P. Blanchfield (Grey, Brunner and Runanga Boroughs), C. Rawlev, T. S. Harcourt, R. J. Biadley (Westland County); D. M. Pettigrew (Hokitika, Kumara and Ross Boroughs), elected members; and L. F. Evans (District Engineer, Public Works Department, Greymouth); K. P. Connell '.(Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture, Christchurch)) G. W. Lowes (senior inspector, Mines Department, Greymouth) ; H. S. Gibbs (Soil Survey Division, Scientific and Industrial Research Department, Wellington); and N Clay (Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika), Government appointees. . The meeting had been called by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Board, which was represented by Messrs W. L. Newnham (Chairman), A. J. Davey, who represented agricultural and pastoial interests on the Council, A. P. Grant (Engineer), and D. M. Grover (Secretary). The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham), who was also present, described erosion as the way nature was kicking back for the way she had been ravaged. He understood the work of the Board would be connected with the prevention, rather than cure, and the policy would be long-range. The task was more interesting than that of any other local body. He trusted the Board would be successful in its efforts to protect the soil of the Coast and maintain the one asset which would give a crop every year. The Chairman thanked the Mayor and congratulated members. The Board had a fairly big job to do. There were problems on the West Coast not found anywhere else, and there were probably as many swift flowing rivers in the province as in all the other boards’, districts put together. Combined with the heavy rainfall they were a problem, peculiar to the province. Erosion was taking place on individual and little rated areas, so there would be difficulty in finding finance. An administrative rate of i per penny was permitted, but this would provide very little, and substantial assistance would have to be obtained. Mr. Newnham, conveying the best wishes of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, said that though in New Zealand millions of tons of soil had been lost and the fertility of remaining soil depleted, it was nothing to what was happening overseas. The West Coast was probably unique in its problems. One i fortunate aspect, however, was that much of the land was still bush-clad but the speedy rivers, intense flood discharges, and the rainfall were disadvantages. * There was also the deI struction caused by pests. The basis of the work was to set up the Catchment Boards. The matter was a national one, but the work could not be done without some kind of local assistance. It was realised that the Board could not function without finance. The finances of the National Council were limited and a lot of things it would like to do could not be done, but it would provide sufficient money for urgently-needed work. The Board should make a thorough investigation of its own area before doing anything. This would not cost much, but would take a long time. This was most important, and anything the Council could do to assist, it would. The technical members of the Board would be available to give assistance wherever possible. Co-operation between the inhabitants of the district and the Board was also important. Mr. Davey said that time and effort would be required of members. The soil was the country’s greatest asset. Members should become conversant with all problems in the district, not only with those in the area which they represented. Farmers must be convinced of the need for the work. Early results could not be expected, but it was the job of the Board to lay foundations for the future.

Replying to Mr, Boustridge, who asked if the Board could do anything about gold dredges, Mr.'Davey said that existing contracts could not be touched, but he thought that under new contracts, soil would have to be. placed over dredge tailings. Mr. Lowes said that the replacement of soil under new contracts was being enforced. To Mr. Rowley, who asked whether the Board had power to divert a river which threatened to cause considerable damage through the property of another man whose consent had been obtained, Mr. Newnham said that the Board had such power, but there should be a full investigation.

Replying to Mr. Blanch field, Mr. Newnham said that the Board could go ahead with part of its practical work, but there must be full investigation before big schemes were touched, and there would not be very much money available till after the war. There would be no difficulty, however, in carrying out urgent minor work.

Referring to a job near Koiterangi, Mr. Rowley said that some jwork could not be left for years. Would the Board have power to go ahead with such jobs? Mr. Newnham said that the Board had the power within the limits of the money available. While the Board had no resources to do the job it could ask the County Council to do it. In answer to Mr. Clay, he said that conservation work carried out. by County Councils must first be approved by. the Board. Replying to Mr. Pettigrew he said that though no machinery was available for the Board at present, the Public Works Department would give all assistance.

Answering Mr. Fisher, who said that the Grey County Council had been partly shelving flood damage work till the formation of the Board, Mr. Newnham 'Said that, even for small jobs the Council would be wise to get the Board’s approval. Any staff, including an engineer, appointed in the meantime, should be temporary. Any work that required doing could be done by other local body staffs. It was decided that the headquarters of the Board be in Greymouth, and the chairman and Messrs Fisher and Boustridge were appointed a committee to recommend a meeting place. The chairman and Messrs Fisher, Boustridge and Bradley were appointed a finance committee to report to the next meeting of the Board on June 14, and the chairman and Messrs Blanchfield, Fisher and Rowley were appointed delegates to a conference to be held in Wellington on June 5 ( 6 and 7.

Mr. Evans was asked to report to the next meeting on prevention workbeing carried out in the district bv the Public Works Department