Catchment Board Member Enlightened!

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1949, Page 2

Catchment Board Member Enlightened!

When a small amount for payment to the Ikamatua Hall Cornmittee was discussed at yesterday s meeting of the Westland Catchment Board, some members were of the opinion that the hall would have been lent free of charge as it was the occasion of the screening ot a film which was described as being ot nationl importance. Mr A. Topp in an explanatory Voice said: “I didn’t know there was a Jew in Ikamatua”. The Soil Conservation and River Control Council wrote stating that in respect of non-elective members of the Catchment Boards who were transferred from the district their vacancies on the board would be taken by their successors in whatever Government position they might hold. It was decided to take direct action to recover contributions owing by a settler for work done in pro; tecting properties in the Waitangi river area. It was decided to return to Mr R. Williams his instament of £22 10s and rescind the agreement made by Mr Williams to pay the sum of £9O in four annual instalments

The secretary, Mr H. N. Pyne, said that Mr Williams was not obtaining any benefit from the work at Waitangi and that only one settler was behind in his payments for the work. Messrs H. J. Merthers and N. Harris asked for an early inspection of the danger to farm lands from the Hokitika river at the Camel Back. The engineer was instructed to inspect the area concerned and report back to the next meeting. Mr J. Shannon said that the matter required attention as water had entered Mr Merthers sheds and ruined large supplies of fodder. In the ease or Mr Harris it was stated that he had done a lot of good work on his own volition.

Mr J. F. Cooper wrote asking for assistance in the protection of the banks of his two sections which were threatened by erosion from Paroa creek. The engineer will carry out an inspection of the area and report to the next meeting. The secretary of the Ngahere Branch of the Grey Valley Federated Farmers wrote asking when protection work to the farm lands along the lower bank of the Nelson Creek was to be carried out.

The engineer, Mr J. H. McElhinney said that discussions had been held with the Highways Board engineei’ and proposals were being considered. It was a big job, he added. It was decided to inform the Federated Farmers that further proposals were being discussed with the Highways Board. On the recommendation of the engineer, proposals to construct two open drains of 25 chains at Duffields Creek, at a cost of about £2OO will be put into effect as soon as possible. A letter from Mr H. G. Levett of Nelson offering many comments on catchment boards and their work was read. It appeared so far-fetched that Mr A. Topp said that .he should have signed it Jehovah Witness. The engineer reported on his inspection of Mr Thomson’s property at the Totara River where erosion was occurring. He estimated that the work would cost £37 10s, of which Mr Thomson was prepared to contribute one-third. It was decided to carry out the work suggested. Present at the meeting were Messrs R. J. Bradley .chairman), J. Ryan. R. B. Collett, H. M. Lawrey, J. R. Shepherd, W. Fisher, J. Shannon, G. F. Lowes, J. Holmes, A. B. Bremner, A. Topp, J. McElhinney (engineer) and H. N. Pyne (secretary).

FLOODING PROBLEMS OF RED JACKS At yesterday’s meeting of the Westland Catchment Board a letter received from the Westland Timber Industry Employees’ Industrial Union, requesting that something be done to improve the position at Red Jack’s Creek was forwarded by the Grey County Council. It was stated that six or eight timber* workers’ homes needed protection along with several other homes. M r W. Fisher said that the matter had been before the Catchment Board a few times and was discussed at the last meeting of the Grey County Council. Various proposals had been suggested but no action had been taken. Mr Fisher said that the highway had been improved but there was still an overflow from the creek in times of heavy rain. The position has been the same for fifty years and the bridges lower down are not capable of taking the water which backs up. Mi- Fisher said that many years ago he suggested a scheme wnich was cheap and which he considered would have overcome the difficulty. No action was taken and the matter steadily deteriorated, he added. His proposal he said, was to have cyclone netting fixed to the trees and braced by stakes and a silt bank would build itself he added. In reply to the chairman, Mr R. J. Bradley, Mr Fisher said that the Grey County Council would be prepared to contribute to the cost of improving the position. The timberworkers had already signified their willingness of contributing towards the cost. It was decided that the engineer make an inspection of the area and bring down a report at the next meeting of the board. Crooked River Erosion Causing Concern In regard to proposals to check erosion by Crooked River in Te Kinga district, the Soil Conservation Council wrote to the Westland Catchment Board approving two of three proposals submitted by the board but asked that the proposal in regard to the lowest curve of the river be reconsidered. The Te Kinga Land and Timber Coy., Ltd. also wrote objecting to the board’s proposal and submitted a scheme wherebv its own lands would be protected. The company suggested that a channel be cut through a gravel bank and that piles and brush be placed in it. thus diverting the river into the old flood channel. Asked by a member what he , thought the cost would be< Mr J. H. McElhinney said that he thought it I would take £3OOO to do any good i and to divert the river. The whole thing, he thought, was an iffy job. The chairman. Mr R. J. Bradley, asked if the Te Kinga Land and Timber Company had any objection to utilising the old channel. The engineer said that this was just what they wanted. Mr J. Ryan said that he would like to see Mr R. J. Shepherd, the inspector of Agriculture, inspect the land concerned Mr W. Fisher said that the land involved was equal to any in the province as it had been built up by deposits of the best possible silt. It was decided to review the previous estimate and that a sub-com-mittee comprising Messrs R. J. Bradley, J. R. Shepherd, W. Fisher and the engineer, inspect the area and report on the qualitv of the land likely to be affected by the river.