RIVER EROSION AT OTAMA

Southland Times, Issue 24177, 13 July 1940, Page 16

RIVER EROSION AT OTAMA

COUNTY ENGINEER'S PROPOSALS CHANNEL TO PREVENT DIVERSION A report on Mataura river erosion at Otama Flat was presented to the meeting of the Southland County Council yesterday by the engineer Mr G. R. Milward. The member for the riding, Mr F. F. Trapski, and the engineer had made an inspection of erosion which was threatening to damage the Upper Knapdale road and private property in the vicinity. The property owners, said Mr Milward, indicated that they would be prepared to carry out a small cut if the work could be lined out for them and direction given as to the work. A drawing submitted by the engineer showed that more than five chains had been washed away in the last two years. The distance separating the edge of the river from the creek beckwas now less than one chain, and should the river connect with the creek bed during a big flood it was possible that some 1000 acres of land would be severed from connection with the reading system, said Mr Milward. Tree and willow protective work at the danger point would be useless as the river was too deep and swift in that part. He recommended that a channel be cut to sever the two bends, the cost being estimated at £BOO. The construction of a channel was probably beyond the resources of the owners on their own, and in any case county roads and bridges would also be affected if the river diverted its course. To be effective the work would have to be carried out in the next month or two. The engineer suggested the following procedure:— '• The council to make application to the Minister of Public Works for a £ for £ subsidy on the total cost of the work, estimated at £81)0, and that the owners be asked to subscribe £l5O between them, the council contributing £250 which, with the Government subsidy of £4OO, would make up the required total. While awaiting the result of the negotiations he recommended that the survey be completed and specifications prepared for the 'ob. It should also be noted that a permanent diversion of the river would completely upset the council’s proposals for a new bridge site on the Otama highway over the Mataura river. It was decided to leave arrangements in the hands of Mr Trapski and the engineer and to make application to the Government for a subsidy.