WESTLAND CATCHMENT BOARD DECISIONS

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1949, Page 2

WESTLAND CATCHMENT BOARD DECISIONS

At yesterday’s meeting of the Westland Catchment Board, a report from the engineer, Mr J. M. McElhinney, recommending that the settlers in the Little Man River area be asked to contribute £9 towards the cost of protecting property in that area was received. The secretary, Mr H. N. Pyne, said that a letter had been received nom Mr 'i. O’Neill agreeing to contribute the amount, which was on a basis of approximately £2 for ct from the Soils Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Mr O’Neil •.unsirffii’cd the cost of a low stone bank 40 ieet wide to fill a gap would be £27 10s. , . The works committee’s resolution, that the Soils Council be approached for a subsidy on a basis of £2 for £2 and to ask settlors for the contribution of £9 was adopted. A further report and plan from the engineer for the new protection works required at O’Reilly’s stop-bank on the Kokotahi River.showed that the cost involved would be about £5300. The works committee’s recommendation that the approval of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council be asked for the greatest subsidy possible was carried. It was also decided that the balance would h-; obtained from the settlers benefiting from , the protection works on a basis to be determined by the board as set out in the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act.

Reporting on Deidrich’s land in the Koiterangi area the engineer said th? area was very light country and io put the river on to its old course would cost £4OOO. This expenditure was hardly warranted as there was not a great deal of land involved rhough the few acres that would be destroyed were good land. Mr Monk’s farm might eventually be involved though there was no immediate danger stated the engineer. Mr Bradley asked if the area should be surveyed. The engineer said it was a small area and it might not be worth while.

It was decided that the engineer, Mr Bradley, and Mr Shannon interview the parties concerned. It was decided to recommend the approval of the Soils Council and to apply for a subsidy accordingly, a’v that Messrs Bradley and Shannon be asked to interview the settlers regarding contributions for the Waitangi River stop-bank. Mr T. Nolan representing the settlers .said they were prepared to raise £l3O if the Westland County Council would put up £lOO. It was decided to approach the Council and to advise Mr Nolan of the outcome. No further action is to be taken bv the board regarding river protection on the Ngahere section of th? Grey River at the present time. The engineer commented on the good work Mr Nolan had done at lower Koiterangi. An inspection is tube made of the work and a grant made.

It was recommended that the engineer make an inspection of Rc-fl Jack’s Creek and report to the next meeting of the board. The engineer’s scheme for closer settlement in the Waiho River Valley is to be further investigated and the Lands and Survey and Agricultural Departments are to be asked to cooperate in submitting a further report to the board. The engineer is to interview the Forestry Department concering a reafforestation scheme in the Inchbonnie area where the Taramakau River threatens to break through to Lake Brunner. On the suggestion of Mr >A. B. Bremner it was decided that tenders be called for work at Potter’s Creek in South Westland. The engineer said a survey of the locality had been dene but had not yet been plotted. Mr Broadhead, legal officer of the State Forest Service is to be asked to confer with a local committee regarding forest and rural fires. The chairman and Mr J. E. Stokes were appointed to represent the board to meet representatives of the Federated Farmers on Friday, March 2a for a discussion on the wild life menace. LITTLE MAN RIVER

Mr O’Neil requested that the money voted for Little Man River below the bridge be spent in the work necessary on the higher reaches of the river.

The engineer said the matter was hardly worth being brought up again as it had been thrashed out. at two previous meetings of the board. Mr Stokes moved that the engineer’s report be adopted and this was seconded by Mr J. Ryan.

Mr O’Neil moved an amendment that tenders be called for the work. Mr J. Holmes seconded the motion. On a show of hands the amendment was defeated. j/fr O’Neil said the engineer had offered to erect a strong bank but this had not been done. He was of the opinion that outside influence had been brought on the engineer. Mr McElhinney said that he had not been influenced in any way. He had said that rock work above the bridge would be an ideal method of protecting the land above the bridge, should the river break through, but he did not consider that there was any likelihood of that happening. Mr A. Topp said that the engineer should not be attacked by board members as he had a very difficult job to do. All knew his capabilities and looked to him for guidance. If the engineer did make an error of judgment, he (Mr Topp) would have plenty to say. Mr Rvan said he wholeheartedly supported Mr Topp, and considered that Mr O’Neil had been given every latitude. Mr J. R. Shepherd said that Mr O’Neil’s suggestion that influence had been brought to bear on the engineer was a serious matter. Mr O’Neil should be made tender an apology. The chairman asked Mr O’Neil to withdraw his remarks.

“I had nothing to do with the matter,” stated Mr A. B. Bremner. “I signed the report, but it was drawn up by Mr McElhinney and Mr Ross.” Mr O’Neil stated that he would withdraw his statement, provided he received an assurance from the Public Works Department engineer that he had not influenced the board’s engineer in the matter. Mr J. E. Stokes said on a point of order. “It is not for members of this board to make a personal attack on the engineer and I for one will not stand for it,” he said. “I would rather walk out of the meeting.” Mr Bremner assured Mr O’Neil that he had not influenced the engineer in his report to the board on the matter, following which Mr O’Neil withdrew his statement.