RIVER EROSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16447, 19 January 1918, Page 5

RIVER EROSION

AT THE RANGITATA. Mr W. Nosworthy, M.P., has received the following letter from > tin Minister for Railways:— With reference to your "letter of October 29th last, forwarding communication received by you from Mr J. R. Brodie, of Rangitata, relative to tho erosion of the banks of the Rangitata. river, I havo the honour to inform you that inquiries indicate that extensive protective works, designed to prevent tho Bangitata Biver from breaking its banks and flowing further to the south, were undertaken by the Railway Department in 1879 and again in 1887. The principal works were situated three miles up tho river from where the railway crosses it, and minor works, also put in in ISS7, are distant about ono mile from the railway bridge. Tho protective works are still in goGrl order and are serving the purposo for which they wero designed. The river, after traversing '' the hill country is divided into two branches 'oy an island, 'which, with the exception oF a. break of some two and a half milcs_l>elow its upper ond, extends from a. Point_ about four .arid a half miles •Tbovc the railway crossing almost U\ the sea. The north branch"'- usually carries tho larger volume of water rdthoueh at present the river is equally rb'vidod between the north and sotttii branches. In the opinion of the responsible officers of the Railwav Department thero is no reason to fear any damaco to the railway works on account r>f chances in tho river which .are due to the crdinar.v fluctuations of jshinclo' rivers. At any time the creator vo]ume of water,may.return_to tho north branch. '.Hie Railway Department is in no way responsible for the. chances in .these two streams, and. if tbesettlers on the south sirle are sufferine: damaaro from erosion of t.fie river banks, it is not a matter for which the Department ie in any way liable.