RIVER EROSION.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 18 June 1937, Page 2

RIVER EROSION.

[To the Editor]

Sir, —The people of Thames should, I am sure, appreciate your efforts in espousing any deserving cause in and around this district, and your leader in last Thursday's issue of your enterprising journal re river erosion at Bowen Street, is no exception to your general rule. In reading Mr. Semple's letter on this subject, I, like yourself, wondered where he got his information from. As far as I am aware, no inspection of this trouble has been mado since Mr. Semple assumed office, otherwise he would have been informed of a large gap in the bank above the second groyne from Bowen Street and on my section, also, at the end of Bowen Street.

Borough authorities will concur when I point out that after the groynes were erected the borough built a. fence sft. from the river-bank. This fence has been shifted twice to prevent it falling in the Tiver, being placed sft. from the bank each time. At present it is due for another sft. shift. This represents 15ft. washed away. Mr. Semple was told 3ft. Why? Further down stream properties have also suffered. The river-bank adjoining my dwelling has encroached to danger point. My own efforts have for the time being prevented it coming further. Similarly, I have had to supplement the P.W.D. groyne nearest Bowen Street with protection work of my own. There is never any information of this kind, I notice, sent to headquarters. I wonder why! I also never hear of any reports stating that the bottom groyne was put in at such an angle that instead of shearing the water off it turns it inshore and sends it tearing up-stream inside the two groynes. This point, as woll as the one in front of the next groyne, requires immediate attention. I wonder who suggested willow trees? Certainly no one who understands the river. If willows could send their fibrous roots down 15 to 20 feet and then live in salt water, they might do some good, given time between floods to grow. Previous to flood erosion which was subsequent to the destruction of the old groyne up-stream, I had two well-established willow trees on my section, and these were the first to go when erosion started. So much for willows.

I would suggest to the borough authorities to make a present of the £SO allotted for this purpose to the old-age pensioners and not waste it on useless suggestions for flood protection. Trusting Mr. Semple will be mado morb fully acquainted with the true position.—l am, etc., "E.C.S." Bowen St., Thames, 18/6/37.