THE WAIRAU PROBLEM.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 40, 25 May 1917, Page 4

THE WAIRAU PROBLEM.

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY,

The Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor to enquire into the question of river conservation in the Marlborough district sat in the Blenheim Courthouse on Monday morning (reports the "Express”). The Commission comprised Mr F. O’B. Lough nan, S.M. (chairman), Mr Frederick Furkert, inspecting engineer of the Public Works Department, Wellington, and Mr Charles Vickerman, civil engineer, Wellington, lately superintendent engineer of the Public Works Department.

The proceedings were attended by a considerable number of representatives of local bodies. ORDER OF REFERENCE.

The purpose of the Commission was to investigate and report on the following matters: — 1. The best method of providing for the control of the Wairau River and its" tributaries so as to safeguard the lands affected, and to provide for the effective control and improvement of the rivers and their banks. 2. The desirability of appointing one competent authority to control the whole of the river and its tributaries. 3. The area which should be included in such district if constituted. 4. Whether in addition to the powers contained in "The River Boards Act, 1908,” the powers contained in "The Land Drainage Act” should also bo conferred upon the Board of the proposed district, and whether any other powers in addition to those contained in the said Acts should be conferred on such Board.

5. Any other matters in connection with the question of protection of land from 'damage by the Wairau River. The chairman rend the Governor's warrant, the contents of which included a reference to the observation made by the Court of Appeal in its judgment in the “groyne case" between the Spring Creek and Lower Wairau River Boards, that a single authority for the control of the river system of the Wairau Plain was desirable. The warrant required the Commission to report within 60 days. REPRESENTATION. Mr C. H, Mills appeared as the legal representative of the Lower Wairau River Board, the main portion of whose district is the country lying to the south of the Opawa River, and including Blenheim. The Board system of works directly touches the whole length of the Opawa River (a tributary of the Wairau River), portions of the Wairau and Waihopai Rivers at the confluence, the Taylor River, and a number of smaller streams.

Mr A. Rogers was the legal representative for the Spring Creek River Board, whose district lies to the north of the Opawa,River, and whose main interest is the conservation of the Wairau River. Several other members of the local bodies, including the Mayor, attended. Speaking for the Pclorus Road Board, Mr Mills said that that body was not cited originally, but it was interested to a very large extent. With the permission of the Commission he would represent the Board.

The chairman said that the Commission was quite willing to include the Pelorus Road Board’s interests. AN EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION.

The chairman said that he had sent circulars to the various local bodies inviting them to attend. It would be seen that the scope of the Commission was an extremely wide one, and that a considerable amount of information and evidence would be required to enable the Commission to make its report. He proceeded to intimate the nature of the information that was desired. He asked the local bodies to furnish a large quantity of data, covering the description, cost, and effect of protective works, the amounts of rates and loans raised, the amounts of Government grants, the valuations, the administrative system, the rainfall statistics, the frequency of floods, the damages caused to private and public property by floods, the effect of floods on the harbour works, the flood-relief aspect of the harbour works, and other details. The Commission would like the local bodies to furnish these various particulars in writing as exhaustively as was practicable, so that the process of taking evidence might be asisted; and it invited them to express their opinions as to the steps that should be taken to remedy the present multiplicity of governing authorities. Before taking evidence the Commission would make a comprehensive inspection of the river system of the whole district.

Discussion ensued, and the chairman explained the requirements of the Commission in detail. It was agreed to restrict the statement of damages to public and private property to a period of ten years. The chairman remarked that in this connection not much more than a rough calculation could be expected. TOUR OF INSPECTION. It was stated that the tour of inspection would occupy several days. The Commission proposed to visit the

Wairau Bar on Tuesday afternoon, journeying by motor-oar to Dillon V Point. It would probably proceed from the Bar to the Waihopai River, and work down the southern bank of the Opawa River. Mr A. B. Wright, the Government District Engineer, would accompany the Commission.

In reply to a question, the chairman said there was no objection to the members of river boards, or any other local body accompanying the Commission on its tour.

The Commission, rising at twelve o'clock, intimated that it would start for the Wairau Bar early in the afternoon. For the purposes of taking evidence an adjournment would be made to 10.30 o’clock on Monday next.