THE WAIMAKARIRI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1265, 19 July 1864, Page 4

THE WAIMAKARIRI.

A deputation from the inhabitants of Kaiapoi and others interested in that town and neighbourhood, waited upon the Superintendent at the Government Buildings on Saturday last, to lay before his Honor the views of the property-holders respecting the inroads of the river upon the Island. The deputation had been nominated at the public meeting lately held at Kaiapoi, and consisted of the following gentlemen -.—Messrs. Beswick, M.P.0.; W. Wilson, M.P.C.; Clark, Coup. Dixon, Heyward, Jagoe, Norman, and Mein. His Honor, Mr. Bealey, was attended by the Provincial Secretary and other members of the Executive Council. Mr. Beswick, as chairman of the meeting, ad-dressed-the Government at some length, urging the necessity of giving the settlers upon the Island a grant in aid of certain rates which they themselves would be willing to have levied upon all Island property for its protection, provided all legal powers were granted to a lliver Conservancy Board duly constituted; under the prompt action of which he was sure the inundation of the Island could easily be averted, and the river, instead of overflowing, be restrained to its present bed. He stated the perfect willingness of the farmers of the Island to be so taxed if a reasonable amount were guaranteed by the Government. His Honor, in the absence of any definite plan submitted by the deputation, could only assure them that the Government felt the question raised to be one of great importance. He expressed a wish that some method might be found for averting the calamity which threatened the settlers on the Island. But, though he and his advisers sympathized deeply with the sufferers, the Government felt bound to act in this, as in any other engineering question, in accordance with the professional advice which was given them. They were bound to take the best advice which they could get; and, having got it, they would be much to blame if they ignored its conclusions. They saw no reason therefore to depart from Mr. Doyne's conclusions. Mr. W. Wilson said that whilst the deputation were perfectly willing to accord to Mr. Doyne all the credit to -which lie was entitled as an engineer eminent in his profession, and whose opinion in all ordinary engineering matters was entitled to confidence and respect; yet his Honor's Government must be fully aware that Mr. Doyne's experience of rivers in the province of Canterbury was very limited, and was especially so in the case of the Waimakariri. The report itself was entirely based upon certain levels taken by a surveyor, which levels, if challenged, might very possibly, be found inaccurate. For these reasons Mr. Doyne's report was fairly open to the very generally expressed opinion that it needed verification to make it entirely reliable. He (Mr. Wilson) would therefore suggest that the Government, instead of abiding by the opinion of their adviser in this instance, ought to direct a re-survey of the river by engineers and surveyors of long experience in the province, and familiar, acquaintance with the peculiarities of the rivers. Such men as Mr. Wylde, Mr. Cridland, Mr. Boys and some others would be eminently qualified to furnish a report which, if confirmatory of Mr. Doyne's, would fairly be deemed reliable. It could not be denied that at this moment a very general feeling prevailed that Mr. Doyne's report was hastily conceived and based upon insufficient information, which impression would remain and continue to gain ground unless confirmed by a very carefully made re-survey. Meantime he trusted the Government would institute and carry on such temporary works as might be deemed sufficient until the Provincial Council meets in August.

Mr. Jagoe thought that delay would prove dangerous, as the preventative works ought to be ready before the time when freshes might be expected in the spring. Mr. Marmaduke Dixon said he had given close attention to the subject. He believed that with a very moderate expenditure of money the river might be prevented from encroaching and confined to its ordinary channel. The annual outlay, he thought, would be of moderate amount, if the works, such as he described, were properly constructed at first; but they would require a certain amount of expenditure towards which it was reasonable to expect the assistance of Government. The value of the property which could thus be saved was amply sufficient to justify the outlay. Mr. Beswick and several other gentlemen entered into conversation with His Honor to point out the position of the works which might be undertaken according to the various plans. In answer to Mr. Beswick, who pressed for a definite answer to the question whether the Government would aid in the matter, Mr Kolleston repeated the determination of the Government, as expressed by His Honor, to abide by the report of their Engineer. In the face of that report they could not bring forward any vote for defensive works. But if a measure which seemed well adapted to work by way of experiment were introduced into the Council by private members, the Government would not oppose it, especially if the object were to give power to the settlers to take action themselves. But the Government would not move in the matter. In answer to various questions, the deputation were informed by his Honor and other members of the Government that 110 objection would be raised to the settlers taking the matter into their own hands, provided they did so on their own responsibility, especially as regardedany consequences which might ensue from damage done by the diversion of the stream. As regarded reimbursing the settlers for their outlay if successful, the Provincial Council would no doubt fairly consider the case when it should occur. In the mean time the Government had been, and were employed in doing work upon the river, and would for some time continue to do so. The deputation then withdrew.