COUNTY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 22915, 13 June 1936, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL

Mataura River Erosion PROTECTIVE WORK IN HAND The breaking of the banks of the Mataura River at the Mataura Island bridge and the consequent Hooding of nearby farm lands was again before the Southland County Council at its jneeting yesterday. A letter was received from Mr J. S. Dick, secretary of the Automobile Association, reierring to the erosion of the river and enclosing a copy of a letter from a member oi the association residing in the Mataura Island district. “The association has no comment to make whatever on the suggestions, in the letter referred to,” wrote Mr Dick, “as it is realized that the council will attend to the matter in the best way possible.” Council Work Criticized. The letter read as follows: “While not wishing to be a nuisance writing and pestering you, I think the county is wrong in doing protective work. At this point the river has straightened its bank and while protective work will do no harm it will not widen the road to a safe width. The road is 25 feet wide and the fence in Parcell’s property requires to be pushed back from two to three chains, as you cannot expect to push a river bank back 14 yards to make the road a safe corner. When you have a straight bank on a river it does not pay to ‘monkey with it, but to keep it as near straight as possible, when you will not start another and perhaps worse erosion elsewhere. The county has planted willows and a lot of these are growing, and if they had been anchored back further would have all been there yet. It is a very small matter to keep them there and the bank straight, but it will not widen the road to a safe width. I am quite in favour of willows and protective work, but not in favour of a lot of expense as most of it usually washes down the river next flood.” Councillor L. A. Niederer reported that the engineer had the matter in hand. Tenders Let. The following tenders for contracts were let:— Oreti riding—Supply of gravel to county plant, Crooks and Sons, at 9d a yard, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made by the member for the riding and the engineer. Lintley, Lowther district roads, Messrs Cocker and Pullar, £297 10/10. Hokonui riding—Charlton Creek brideg, Adam Speden, £312 11/-. Supply of ironbark timber—William Smith and Co., £1421 10/8. There were present at the meeting: Councillors F. F. Trapski (chairman), W. M. Norman, T. Golden, L. A. Niederer, J. Dennis, A. S. McNaught, G. Wraytt, J. McNeil and G. Whittingham.