WAITARA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1926, Page 12

WAITARA NEWS.

EROSION BY THE RIVER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Waitara, Aug. 16. The monthly meeting of the Waitara Harbour Board was held on Friday last, Mr. Jas. Hine (chairman) presiding. The secretary reported that the board's accounts for the past two years had been audited. They would be sent to the Marine Department for approval at an early date. An application having, been received for a section in Waitara West, it was decided to put it up for public auction at an upset rental of £5. Consent was given for the transfer of a lease from W. Rouse to L. A. Gaustad. Consent was also given to the sub-lease and assignment of the site of the Bridge Hotel. A - discussion ensued regarding packing up the north wall with stone. The secretary estimated that 60 yards would be required and that the work should be expedited in case a bad scour occurred.—Left in Mr. Henderson’s hands, tenders to be called for 60 yards or more of stone. The secretary reported on wharfage charges relating to sheep. Twopence had been charged, whereas the charge should be one penny, the by-laws not having been corrected. He stated that the owners of the s.s. Wetere had asked for a refund for the amount overpaid.—The board decided to make the refund as requested and Mr. Nosworthy tabled a notice of motion to amend the by-law. Mr. Henderson reported on the construction work at the south wall. Owing to adverse conditions the work had been held up somewhat, but he hoped to resume operations on August 16. Only two new blocks had been made, making a total of 52 feet of wall 14ft. deep, whilst foundations for an additional 27ft. had been laid.

The board received a petition signed by ten residents in the vicinity of the recent river erosion, stating they understood the board was the governing body and pointing out the seriousness of the position, not only to the sections adjacent to the river, but to the town generally. The chairman said that for ten years there had been very little erosion, but the last flood no doubt had done serious damage. The current seemed to be most erratic and attacked different places with each flood. He had looked up some old records and in 1910, under the Waitara Harbour Board and Borough Empowering Bill, some 25 acres, comprising 100 sections, had been given to the board on trust for the maintenance and repair of the bridge and the improvement of the navigation of the river and its banks. The question, however, was whether the board was liable or under a mandatory’ obligation, for how far up the river the board’s jurisdiction extended was not known. He considered the board should obtain legal opinion as to their liabilities, powers and obligations. This course was decided upon.

Mr. 'Spurdie reported that, erosion had taken place on the board’s property near the bridge, each fresh in the river had done a certain amount' of damage, but the last flood had scouted exceptionally. He stated that that the Rowing Club’s staging had acted as a sort of a groyne, but now this had been washed away and the water had scoured in. If the board, supplied the necessary piles and timber the Rowing Club were willing to do the work of erecting a protective groyne.- It was decided to grant the request. POSTAL FACILITIES. Information has been received from Mr. J. C. Roliestpn, M.P., statins that the Gov-

eminent had decided to acquire the quar-ter-acre section on the corner of McLean and Domett Street. _ Now the site has been acquired it is quite on the cards that the new post office will be an accomplished fact in the very near future. Regarding an all night telephone service it is reported that the reqULsite'?number of signatures to the petition have been obtained and this will mean putting Waitara up a grade in status. It is confidently expected that the new building will be a more up-to-date one on account of the rise in grade.