CATCHMENT BOARD

Grey River Argus, 14 February 1946, Page 2

CATCHMENT BOARD

•MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Westland Catchment Board was held yesterday morning, Mr. W. Clayton presiding. Also present were Messrs. F. F. Boustridge, J. Ryan, 11. S. Gibbs, W Fisher. E. F. Evans, G. W. Lowes, R B Collett W. Clay, R. J. Bradley, P. B. Blan'chfie’d, G. Rowley, T. S. Harcourt. Letters were received from .Messrs. T. C. O’Neil. W. F. H. Chinn and the Public Trustee (Mr. Millier), opposing the proposal of the Catchment Board to erect a stop-bank in the Wataroa river, which they considered would endanger the settlers at Tetaho. It was stated by the Board that the proposed bank would be some chains away from tiie river, and thai its purpose would be, not to divert the course of the stream, but to arrest the overflow. A deputation from the Tetaho settlers, headed by, Messrs. T. C. O’Neil and Mr. -Millier (Public Trustee), waited on the Board and placed the case for the settlers before it. Mr. Millier said that any obstruction of the natural overflow of the river would increase the volume of flood waters further downstream, and would endanger the main highway in addition to being a menace to settlers property. He contended that the settlers who had already suffered considerably from erosion, should not be further subjected to the detrimental action of the river.

On behalf of the women of the district, Mr. Millier said that the only maternity home and qualified nurse who .officiated in the absence of the doctor was situated at Tetaho, and the women of the district were concerned about the safety of the road. Mr O’Neill said that in the Tetaho area, there was good soil to a depth of 60 feet, which consequently eroded easily. In the past the road had been washed away on several occasions, and had cost the Public Works Department large sums for repairs! He was sure that no one wanted to see a recurrence of this state of affairs, and as every flood ■was an added threat to its safety, he considered this was a factor which should be taken into account when the proposed stop-bank was under consideration. He suggested that a cut be made in the river bed to keep the river in its present course. The remarks of the previous speakers were, corrobated by Mr. Chinn. Mr. Clayton said that the erection of the stop-bank would not affect the settlers in the Tetaho area to any great extent, except in high floods, and he did not think that the Board could do much to alter the position Air. Evans: “The Wataroa river bed is certainly a problem, but the amount of gravel transported is small. There are forever changes in the river bed itself, and sooner or later, we may be forced t take steps to move tl<e foundation of the bridge to a lower level.” He added that the Main Highways Board have nor overlooked the possibility of a new arterial road for the district, and until the Highways Board stated its intentions in regard to a major deviation, it would be unwise to make any great expenditure. He contended that the river would continue to erode the banks at Te Taho until such time as protective works were put into operation there.

The Westland County Council advised that it would make a grant of £lOO to the Wataroa settlers for protection work, if the Catchment Board could arrange for a subsidy of live to one, instead of the three to one as previously set out. It was resolved that the matter be held over until the next meeting, and the secretary be instructed to contact the Soil Council on the matter. Mr. Drayton waited on the meeting in respect to erosion which was taking place on his property. He stated the ' -Ahaura River had broken its banks, and was forming a deep channel through part of his land. The river had made a breach in the groyne for a distance of three chains, and is being caused by the weakening of the groyne which had been constructed for 40 years. Over 400 acres of his land, and his homestead were endangered. About half a mile above bis property was a bluff which once diverted the water farther out into the creek bed but this had filled itself up with debris to a considerable depth and its course ran through his property. The stop-bank that was erected .had served its purpose, but had now been washed away. During the last flood, the water came within half a chain of his house and he contended that it was not safe to live there while the river was high. It was resolved that the Public Works Department be asked to inspect and report on the position. * Mr. R. Woolhouse, Harihari, wrote advising that Dry Creek had become dangerous during the last two floods. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, reported that the matter had been investigated, and to rectify the position it would be necessary to construct a stop-bank about five chains long at a cost of about £lOO. In his opinion it woud be best to leave well alone at present. It was decided to accept the engineers report. The latter was received. Letters from the District Engineer, P.W.D., Westland County Council and Messrs. H. J. Manera and S. Bergman were received in respect to M aitaha river Erosion at Kaka.potahi. The County Engineer said that some difficulty had been encountered in procuring tlie services of a bulldozer but with the permission of the Board he could make arrangements to have a machine taken from Hokitika to the site of the work. Mr. Evans intimated that as an engineer he could see no merit in the proposed cut, his remarks being supplemented by Mr. Clarke, County Engineer. It was decided that the bulldozer be started on tlie work and that a letter be sent to the settlers expressing the Board’s attitude towards the project.

The P.W.D. reported on the erosion position at Fagan’s Creek on the Westport-Greymouth main highway. The report stated that no immediate expenditure was warranted. It was said that the district was under the control of the Grey County Council, and subsequently the Main Highways Board. It was decided to refer the matter to the Grey County Council. The P.W.D. also reported on the Poerua (Little Wanganui) bridge protection. The engineer stated’ that a change of direction in the upstream current was striking against the bank, and requested that immediate action be taken. On the motion of Mr. Evans it was decided to write to the Soil" Council requesting that a subsidy be made so that the work could be commenced. In reference to the abolition of the Jnteq-Wanganui River. District, the

Under-Secretary, Internal Affairs Department, advised that any objections to the proposal should be lodged and that the matter of the objection of the district be advertised in the local newspapers. The letter was received. The South-Canterbury; Catchment Board wrote requesting information on salaries paid by the Westland Board. It was resolved that the requisite information be given, and that the' South Canterbury Board be requested to reciprocate by supplying information supplied by other centres. The Westland County Council requested that the Board pay a visit of inspection to the Arahura and Kokatahai river districts, where it was considered considerable damage was imminent because of flooding. It was decided that the inspection be deferred until the appointment of an engineer to the Catchment Board. Considerable inconvenience had been caused the clerk. and the members of the Board by the late arrival of reports and letters for consideration, and it was resolved that with the exception of emergencies, all correspondence to be dealt with be in the hands of the clerk the Friday prior to the meeting. Inchbonnie Sawmills, Ltd., and the Westland District Progress League drew the attention of the Board to the overflowing of the Taramakau River into the Orangipuku, thus washing out the access road to the Inchbonnie Sawmill and creating a danger to Greymouth should the overflow become more serious. The County Engineer reported that no damage to county roads resulted from the last floods, but he would inspect the Inchbonnie Road and submit a report at the next meeting. The matter was held over pending his report. Mr W. C. Bruce, Ahaura, wrote reporting erosion by the Grey River on his property. —Held over pending County Engineer’s report. The Inspector of Mines advised that he had recommended the Greek’s Creek sludge creek ruling be revoked. The work will be continued as soon as possible.