RIVER EROSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22995, 24 March 1938, Page 16

RIVER EROSION

GIGANTIC PROBLEM £3,000,000 REQUIRED [BY TELEQBAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NELSON, Wednesday "River protection is a gigantic problem, and it would cost £3,000,000 to carry out complete works in New Zealand, even with the use of modern machinery," tho Minister for Public Works, the Hon. R. Scmple, said today to a deputation which urged him to undertake protection work on the Wairoa and Wai-iti Rivers at Brightwater. This is the first official announcement of the financial magnitude of the task facing tho Government in preventing erosion. One inembor of the deputation said 30 acres of his holding of 87 acres had disappeared down the river, and he feared that with the next flood his home and sheds would be swept away. Tho shingle banks ,wcre above tho level of his property, and tho rivers were choked with willows.

. Mr. Semplo' said river erosion was an immense problem, as economic loss Was being suffered through land being swept into the Pacific Ocean. Surveys had been made, and an approximate estimate or th<} total cdst of £3,000,000 had been submitted to him.

Addressing Mr. J. Corde, chairman of the Waimea County Council, the Minister said: "You fellows have been terrified at tho prospective sins of Labour, yet we have been doing things that no other party has bepn prepared to tackle." The survey of the Wairoa and Waiiti' rivers would bo completed within two months, after which, said the Minister, he would consider tho request. ' '