RIVER REVERSION

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1934, Page 2

RIVER REVERSION

DEPUTATION TO WELLINGTON. ACTION BY GOVERNMENT. At the meeting of the Hokitika. .Harbour Board last evening, the chairman (Mr E. W. Heenan) submitted the the following report on behalf of Mr Warren and himself on. their visit ro Wellington. The deputation consisted of Mr JO’Brien, M.P., and Messrs E. W. Hainan and N. Warren. Their first interview had been arranged with the Hon. J. Bitcheuer, Minister for Public Works and acting-Minister of Unemployment. Mr O’Brien introduced the deputation, and outlined exactly what was required. The Minister gave the deputation a cordial reception and sympathetic hearing, and apologised for the absence of the engineer-in-chief who was absent on highways business. The Minister ' desired to know the amount of assistance required from the P.W.D. Mr Heenan replied that the Harbour Board required a gi'nnt of £IOOO also the use of pile driving gear. The Minister stated that, after the en-gineer-in-chief had been consulted, the amount of monetary assistance could be arranged.' With regard to the use of the pile driving gear, the Department would< lend this to the Board at a peppercorn rental. The next interview was with the Unemployment Board. There were present .at ihp,meeting Mr Jessep (deputy chainnan), i\lessr H Br'ciiffey, McKenzie, and the Commissioner (Mr Godfrey). The Board was well supplied with particulars of the scheme, and plans of the work were placed before them. A request was made, for a subsidy of £3 for £1 on all labour required, including the labour in getting the piles. After a very exhaustive debate on the 'whole matter, the Board finally agreed t .o find 50% of labour costs on the pile driving work, provided unemployed men with" three 'Or more children were 'employed, full time—at standard rates of pay. The Board also agreed to subsidise the contract for securing the piles, provided unemployed kneu obtained the contracts. The Board stood firm oil* these offers which practically meant a 50% , subsidy on all labour costs provided class C men are employed.

Mr O’Brien endeavoured to arrange a meeting With the Minister of F * n " ance but this could not be managed, owing to pressure of Caninet business. On tho following afternoon they met the Minister of Marine (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe). The way here had been paved by the Public Works Department ana they found the Minister and hi s officers well acquainted with the position. A very free discussion wa s entered upon, the Minister stressing tilt fact that his Department was anxious to do all possible to keep the port open, but unfortunately the Marine Department did not have much money to spare in these days of depression. However, from the representations made, and from the knowledge of his officers, it could be seen the position was serious, and in these cases the Mtfrine- Department could approach the Minister of Finance for special assistance, but it- would be necessary to modify tbo plans somewhat. No. 1 scheme provided for a piled wall from the head of Butland’s Island to Houston’s farm, the Avail to consist of three rows of piles, estimated to cost cost £IB,OOO. No. 2 scheme provided for a piled Avail from the head of Butland’s Island and continuing straight across the middle channel to Mclntosh’s Islam!, and running parallel to the raihvay bridge, the wall to be effective only .to half tide level. Estimated cost £16,000. This scheme was the one recommended by tbe R.W.D. expert (Mr Woods). As both schemes Avere beyond the finances of the Board and the Government, it Avas finally decided t« recommend a scheme costing £4OOO, and to have the Public Works Department submit plans and estimates of cost. 11 this could be arranged, and the folloAVing grants made, an early start could be made:—Harbour Board £IOOO, P.W.D. subsidy £IOOO, Marine Department £IOOO, Unemployment- Board £'looo., The matter is now ready for presentation to tlie Aairimis departments and on belmlf of the Board, Mr Ileenan desired to extend to Mr J. O’Brien, ! M.P., their very best thanks for bis ■ I help and asistamv at all times. It was i an arduous task but tho bulk of the work fell to Mr O’Brien and he handled the situation with credit to the Board and district. The Engineer in Chief, Wellington, wrote as follows: Regarding your Board’s proposal to ! provide for the construction of 5 chains of training wall from tho head of Rutland's Island, I liaA'e to adivse that this Department estimates the cost as , follows: —

Training Avail 5 chains long, 3 rows of piles—material, freight, etc £B2O, labour £1915, total £2735; Gabion mattress at head of wall, 100 cubic yards •—Material, freight-, etc. £4O; labour