THE WAIMAKARIRI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 159, 14 November 1868, Page 3

THE WAIMAKARIRI.

IThe public of Christchurch will learn with satisfaction that the more recently sanctioned defence works in connection with the Waimakariri are now almost complete, and tlmt danger of inundation is very considerably less than has ever been the case since the city was first threatened. Perfect security, it is true, cannot be relied upon, but no fresh of equal proportions to the largest we have yet experienced need cause serious alarm, as it is scarcely possible that it would nullify the measures wiich have been taken to prevent inundation^ The old emEankments have been raised at least four feet, where they were previously topped by the overflow, besides the faces having been protected from scouring by massive shingle groins and channels cut to carry the stream back to its proper course. The upper one has also been lengthened oas to reach a terrace over which the overflow is not at ! all likely to rise, and both have so increased in ' thickness that to burst them would be im- ! possible. Below the lower embankment some minor protective works have also been constructed, and from personal, though unpractical inspection, we are convinced that no ' danger is likely to threaten Christchurch un less from some unprecedentedly heavy flood. This not only applies to the points of overflow in the vicinity of the embankments, but also to that where during the last fresh a ! large body of water made its way into the river Styx. A recurrence of this is not yet effectually prevented, but a high ridge of land runs almost parallel to the river bank, offering effectual protection to the city until the bed of the Styx is reached. The land in this locality will, of course, suffer, but works to prevent it cannot be put in hand until the Boa d of < onservators are appointed. The means to be adopted have in the meantime been reported upon by the Provincial Engineer, and will be brought before the Council during next session. The opinion prevailing at the inundation of February last, respecting the embankment baring burst, was a very erroneous one, for it was only by the stream running over it, and gradually making a channel downwards that the water escaped towards Christchurch. r l he increase in height will in future prevent this except under the circumstances nreviously noted ; and it may also be remarked that the report recently prepared by Mr Thornton for j consideration by the Council, provides for raising them to a still greater extent. The greatest, in fact the only, danger to be apprehended, is from the overflow topping the works, and to this, with proportionate strengthening, will all efforts be confined. The overflow above the up er embankment is now a permanent one, and although during our visit a few days ago, the ground between the lower embankment and the river was dry, there were a large number of small overflow streams intersecting the country I above the upper one, but gathering together |in front of it, and flowing parallel with it back to the bed of the river. These, it is unnessary to say, if not thus provided for, would cause a continual current of water in the . direction of Christchurch, and the deft nee works are not merely of benefitduring a fresh, but are constantly protecting the

city from being flooded. It is impossible to form any just estimate of the difficulties to be contended with in restraining the waters of this river without a personal examination, but to any one making such there can be no possible mistake. It does not require engineering skill or practical acquaintance with turbulent streams to observe how every feature of the country offers facilities for inundation, and opposes the skill of man, and but one opinion can be formed — that nothing but constant and careful watching can ensure anything like immunity from flooding by this river.