MR. NELSON’S REPORT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 94, 3 April 1912, Page 4

MR. NELSON’S REPORT.

In yesterday’s issue we published in full the report prepared by Alix George Nelson upon the erection of a structure across the Ahuriri lagoon to replace the present Westshore bridge. This report will be placed before the next meeting of delegates appointed by the interested local bodies to go into the quest ion. YVc have before pointed cut that u was necessary for the local bodies in the vicinity to carefully consider this question as their interests were deeply involved. In his report Air. Nelson considers the local authorities are concerned as follows : — The Public Works Department.— Railway communication between Napier and the North. The Napier Borough Counc'L —(1) Means of communication for road traffic and foot passengers between Napier and YVestshore ; (2) Better provision for the storm water drainage of Napier town. The Hawke’s Bay Countv Council. -Means of communication for

road traffic and foot passengers between Napier and Westshore. The Napier Harbour Board. —(1) To see that such area as it may deem desirable to conserve for future Harbour extension is not encroached upon ; (2) Means .for preventing the deposition of Tuteckuri silt in the Inner Harbour and in the approach thereto. Tim Napier South Town Board. — Better provision for the storm water drainage of its district. The Hawke’s Bay River Board.— To conserve the interests of River Board ratepayers. So far as we can see there : s not one single body upon that list which is not interested in the work proposed to be put in hand, and Mr. Nelson appears to have arrived at a veryfair classification of interests. The report then proceeds to deal w th the above headings, in detail and ihe following conclusions as to what should be done are arrived at: — 1. —The diversion of the Tutaekuri river from a point a few chains to the west of Kennedy road through the second opening in the Taradale road. 2. —The formation of a wide embankment extending from the Taradale road —between the first and second bridges—to what is known as ’‘Long Point” on the Westshore. 3. —The construction of a storm water channel along the Hyderabad road, where the Tutaekuri river at present flows. It is not possible to follow Mr. Nelson right through his long report in the present article. Those who. have read the copy supplied us vesterday will have gathered from the details the reasons of the engineer f >r arriving at the above conclusions. It appears to us to have comprehensively touched upon what is necessary to be done to conserve the .-■< parate interests involved. It waij a zoohitely necessary, if the inner harbour scheme were to remain possible of development that the area cf water available should not be en -roachcd upon by the railway embankment and it was also vitally necessary that the construction of any- embankment should not interfere with silttraoping operations or m anv measure interfere with the free d rcharge of flood waters from Napier Borough Without taking local requirements into consideration the Railway Department might easily have caused partment might easily- have caused disaster in any one or the whole of these propositions, because they are primarily on'y concerned in procuring tho che.ipes! and most efficent route for their line. The report prepared, however, places clearly before the Department what is necessary- to safeguard the interests of the district and v/e have no doubt whatever that an effort will be made to meet us in every way possible. The straightening of the river channel is ap excellent proposal which should be of immense, benefit to the low-lying portions of Napier, and the utilisation of the old river bed for the storm water escape seems a practical and businesslike proposition. Even supposing the other portions of the scheme were not agreed to this diversion stands out by itself as a necessary- work. Add to this also the fact that the widening of Hyderabad road would be possible, and Thackeray- street could be made a fine thoroughfare and carried through at the back of the recreation ground. Other benefits of a wider nature come in by way of reclamation, railway straightening, etc. What we must realise is that the work of making an embankment and bridge over the lagoon has to be undertaken if the railway proceeds. If it can be made to serve the district’s interests it is the district’s business to take action. Mr. Nelson’s report appears to point the way to securing considerable and lasting benefit from the work to'be undertaken. It is, of course, for the Railway Department to say how far the proposal will fall in with their ideas of what’ is required, but there is every ground for believing they will give the matter reasonable consideration. The proportionate cost suggested need not be discussed at present. When the time comes those interested will cheerfully accept their responsibilities.