SLIP ON ROCKS ROAD

Nelson Evening Mail, 29 July 1916, Page 2

SLIP ON ROCKS ROAD

DISPOSAL OF THE SPOIL. PROTEST FR.OM HARBOUR BOARD. At last night's meeting of the City Council a letter was read from the Secretarv Nelson Harbour Board, giving the Council notice to immediately stop oej positing spoil from slip on Rocks Roa 1 into the harbour, in terms of Sectim 209 of "The Harbours Act. 1908," ami further drawing attention to sub-section 2 of the same section. A previous application, some time ago. it was stated, from the Waimea. County Council to <!-> the same thing, was referred to /the | Marine Department, which, acting on I the advice of the Engineer-in-Chief. -■ b- { solutely the deposition of j any debris over the wall into the ha.--j bour.

From Messrs Adams and Harley, solicitors to the Board, regarding the same matter, and also stating that the Council was responsible at law for tin removal to a. proper position of any spoil already deposited contrary to the provisions of the Harbours Act. A telegram was read from the Minister of Marine stating that the Council must cease the spoil in tlv 1 harbour

The City Engineer reported that the note arose through the clearing of slips on the Rocks Road bv throwing the material over the wall. The Marine Department had prohibited the depositing of spoil in tlie harbour, hut the shovi alor~ the road was not within what \va.s generally understood as the harbour, and it was not to be supposed that any damage could be done to the harbour by putting the slips over the wall. K: had no hesitation in saying that r.-i part of the spoil could be washed inin the harbour or any channel leading into it. the drift being undoubtedly the other way. lief ore the rond was constructed slins were continually coming down from'the cliffs, and wore dispersed by the sea, and he failed to see ■why the debris should not go on to the beach as before. Th? cost of clearing the slips by putting the material over the wall would be about £BO. Murli of it was in 10 to 20 ton blocks, which could be jacked ov,»r the wall. If carted away they must be broken up. and th-j co=t of removal would probably reach £309 or more. It did not seem reasonable t ohim that the. ratepayers should be forced 'into unnecessary expenditure of £2CO. Slips were likely to bo of frequent occurrence, and the Tights of the case should be properly defined if the Harbour Board could not see ts way to modify its altitude. In the meantime ho had discontinued work a f the slin. Cr Webley moved that the Coisnci! comply with the request of the Harbour Board. Cr Moffatt said the strong point of the Engineer's note was that if the roa;l had not been there the slins would have gone into the harboiir. What would (!:•? Harbour Board have done in those cir cumstances ? Cr Hamoson-_said it -was not the Ha? hour Board the Council had to do with, but the Marine Department. It ,iopeared to him that the City Engineer

had made out a very flood case, and ht would like to see a "legal opinion taken. Cr Piper said they could get rid o*" tho spoil for Is a load to the Tahima, people, and ho believed the people in BrooK'street would take it at the same prk't,A preliminary, he suggested, should Into obtain basis, fill them with sand, and place them along the Brook Stream. The Brook could not be left as it was. Willows could bo planted behind the bag^. The Engineer said it would cost 4s 6<i a yard to br:ng the spoil to town. Cr Mercer suggested a deputation to the Harbour Board.

Cr Alon'att said the time seemed opportune to consider the widening of the road. The Railway Department mignt be. approached in the matter. The. Mayor thought the people shoiikl set to work themselves."" He was verv

soi-ry for the people, but the Council could not be expected to make good the damage. He did not think san I bags would be of any use, as the sa-id would soon be washed down the strea.-n He did not think the Council cou'd help the unfortunate people along the Brook. If they started doing that, it would cost a tremendous sum.

"~Cr Mercer moved that the Harbo ir Board be asked to allow the lumps i-> be put, over the wall, loose stuff to i-j carted to King's Acre, Washington, and the City Engineer to wait on the Harbour Board regarding the matter. Cr Web'.ey withdrew his motion, and Cr Mercer's motion was carried, Cr Piper dissenting.