WAIHOPAI EMBANKMENT

Southland Times, Issue 22488, 24 January 1935, Page 9

WAIHOPAI EMBANKMENT

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION CONFERENCE AGREED TO. The proposed Waihopai ■ River embankment scheme was discussed at some length by the Invercargill City Council at its meeting on Tuesday night and a sub-committee was ultimately appointed to confer with, representatives of the Southland County Council upon the matter. / The subject was ' introduced by a communication 7 from, the City Engineer (Mr F. M. Corkill) as follows: “I have received from the county engineer plans of the work proposed from the railway at Grassmere to the west boundary of Thomson’s Bush, and the letter states:

'My council proposes to carry out the embankment etc. work on the north side of the stream as shown, and has instructed me to request that yours does that on the south side; namely the raising and re-gravelling of the present footpath from the North road east to peg 24 and the raising of an embankment from there to peg 28, on which section no path exists at present. If your council cannot see its way to agreeing to the above, a sub-committee of mine would like to discuss the matter with one of yours at this office at 2 p.m. on Friday next, the 25th inst.’ ” Mr Corkill submitted the following report regarding the proposed scheme: “This scheme was revived at a conference between representatives of the Southland County Council and the Invercargill City Council on March 3, 1931. At this meeting the City Council was asked to contribute towards the cost of the works fronting its property on the north side of the river. On April 1, 1931, the council agreed to pay the sum asked —£53 10/ —as its proportion of work on the north side of the stream form North road to Lennel bridge. This work was not proceeded with. The matter has come up at several times since then, but no final proposals or plans have yet been put forward. In March, 1933, the Southland County Council advertised the creation of two drainage districts, and the City Council notified them of its desire, on account of its interest in property on the south side of the Waihopai, to be informed as to any works proposed to be done. The City Council is therefore in no way responsible for any delay in carrying out the work.”

Councillor G. Reed moved that the Works Committee should confer with the county representatives. The Mayor (Mr John Miller) said that the matter had been under consideration of the County Council for a long while but the present was the first occasion for many months that it had come to the notice of his council. He had read in the Press that when a deputatrt.i recently waited upon the county, one of the councillors there had allegedly stated the delay was the fault of the Invercargill Council. Befor them that night, his Worship continued, was a report from their city engineer setting out the history of the scheme. All the Invercargill Council had asked was what was going to be done about the river as it was very important they should know that. “The councillor who said we were delaying the scheme had no right to make that statement as it was quite wrong. The County Council must bear their own responsibilities and not throw them on to anyone else.” Councillor C. J. Brodrick said the matter was a very important one and it was of more interest to the people of Invercargill than to any other body. He thought the suggested discussion would be a move in the right direction and they should secure a report from Mr Corkill on the whole scheme. “It is a very vital matter without doubt,” remarked Councillor G. Reed. “Something will have to be done about this river.”

Councillor H. Ritchie said he also favoured an open discussion on the matter. He was averse to shutting off the natural flow of the river for he was satisfied the reclamation works carried out and the previous shutting off of water had been the cause of much of the flooding. “The largest floods we have had here have been caused since the Borstal reclamation scheme came in. The confining of the waters is compelling them to come over here.” “I suggest we have the conference and that we in no way hinder any work the County Council may carry : out so long as it is not detrimental to the city,” remarked the Mayor. “The proposal is to deal with the Waihopai up' to Elies road. Any big scheme, I think, is false economy. Large sums have been spent on embankments but they are not a paying proposition. People buy sections on low-lying land and then come along and expect this council to shoulder the burden and protect them by embankments. It is not a fair thing. Councillor J. T. Tattersfield said that, as a ratepayer, he must protest. “This proposal to bank the Waihopai—who will it benefit?” he asked. “I want to sound a note of warning. The rates are already high enough and we have spent too much money in benefiting the few at the expense of the majority of the ratepayers.” After further discussion, Councillor Reed withdrew his motion in favour of a resolution, moved by Councillor Ritchie, that the Mayor, Councillor Brodrick, Councillor Webb, the City Engineer and the Town Clerk should be a sub-committee to discuss the matter with one from the County Council. The motion was carried. PETITION RECEIVED -IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT. Mr J. C. Prain, on behalf of 42 ratepayers and residents of Gladstone, forwarded the following petition:— “We, the undersigned, ratepayers and residents of Gladstone in the vicinity of the Waihopai River, respectfully ask your council to consider making improvements to what should be one of the chief attractions of our city viz. the Waihopai River and the scenic reserve. From the railway bridge to the east side of the scenic reserve beyond Elies road there are many evidences that for want of attention the banks of the river are being eroded and the flax and plants natural to the river are being washed away, leaving muddy and unpleasing surfaces exposed to view. Many years ago protective works were carried out on a small scale and evidence of this is still discernable. For want of attention a great deal of the value of this work has been lost Your present Mayor was instrumental in having the road formed from the Waihopai bridge to Grey street. It was intended as the approach to the scenic reserve from the North road with the return journey per medium of the North Invercargill trams. Th(J conception was admirable but has been discounted by leaving untouched the uninviting stretch of river front. On the motion of Councillor Reed, it was decided that the petition he on the table.