MARUIA SPRINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 8 March 1943, Page 4

MARUIA SPRINGS

THREATENED BY EROSION RIVER TAKES A SHARP TURN GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED That the Maruia Springs were in danger of being overrun by the river and their use lost to the public was reported to the executive of the Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast Local Bodies* League when it met at Murchison on Saturday by the Mayor of Westport (Mr .1. M. Robertson). The urgency of undertaking protective work is to be brought to the immediate attention of the Government by the League. He had, said Mr Robertson, visited these Springs, which ranked about third in the world for their particular properties, over a month ago for health reasons. On the south bank, above a long training wall, he found that the river had taken a sharp turn and was undermining and washing away the 4 to 5-foot bank. If the river went much further it would break through and be on the Hostel side of the wall. This would wash away many acres of good soil and render the swing bridge useless. The river had taken such a sharp turn that it would not be hard to make a channel and straighten it. On the baths side of the river the extension of the wall for eight chains and the shifting of some river gravel which had covered up one of the best springs were needed. He had communicated with the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple) on 3rd February. On 14th February the Minister replied that a report on the erosion had been prepared by his Department, and the Tourist Department, (which controls the springs), was being communicated with to ascertain whether money could be made available for the work from its departmental vote. The chairman of the Inangahua County Council (Mr F. W. Archer) pointed out that the prosecution of this work was urgent. The Tourist Department seemed to have fallen down on the job of utilising the springs. It had given a very haphazard lease to private persons. Unless the erosion control was taken in hand immediately there was a chance of losing the springs altogether. This question could not wait till the deputation went to Wellington. The work should be put in hand straight away. It was decided that the Minister of Public Works be communicated with straight away, emphasising the urgency of having the work done without delay. A request that the springs be nationalised and their curative properties used for the benefit of the people is among the representations to be made shortly by a deputation from the League to the Government.