The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 482, 2 December 1869, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1869.

A beport in the Lyttelton, Times of this morning, on the state of the pro • t.ective works under the supervision of tho Waimakariri Board of Conservators, is not very encouraging. Without positively affirming that there is nny substantial ground for believing Christchurch to be in imminent danger ia case of another heavy fresh in the river, the report leaves the impression that it would be unwise to count upon •ibsolute, or even comparative safety. Naturally enough, perhaps, the public generally had begun to think that as i lie river was under the especial care of a Board of Conservators, they were .quite secure, and need not put themselves to any trouble. --Tnu _- X -_- i Hn_«„ r.n_Rf,atss first, .in general terms, that " the partivi culara coming under our observation " were unfortunately not so favourable '• as could be desired, and they should •" unquestionably command the serious ' <; 'attention of residents southward of {: the river." The upper embankment, by which is meant, we presume, the embankment opposite Watson's Accommodation House, appears to be in a uatisfactory condition. The Board of Conservators have in various ways repaired and strengthened it, and we are left to infer that there is no danger to be apprehended at this point. Between the •tipper and second embankment, " thero " is nothing to cause serious appre- " hension, but there are one or two " places on which it would be as well ■' to bestow some attention and care." It is in the vicinity of the second embankment that tbe greatest danger ia ■apparent, and it is here that the Conservators have been carrying on their principal protective works. These works, we are told, are a " decided mistake." The part of the bank really assailed by the river has been left unprotected, while an expensive groin, thrown out with the object of shunting tlie stream off the bank, only serves to throw it back with greater force. The groin here referred to is compared to " a pier in the centre of a bay," and we are also told that there .... v_as and is considerable danger of its ., becoming an island, should the river : succeed in forcing its way over and through the narrow strip of land by which the groin is joined on to the river bank. The whole of the work done by the Board at this point, it is naid, will probably be found to have been " labour and money lost." The groin has cost over £600, and a further large sum will have been spent • ou sacks of concrete, thrown in to prevent the scour of the river at that point where it runs with full force sig»\inst the bank. A short distance below the groin is the first embankerected by the Board of Conservators. This is intended to catch ' -he overflow towards Christchurch, and . ifc is satisfactory to know that ir is of • "strong proportions." Prom this embankment to Mr M'Lean's house, there does not appear to be any -.anger ; bufc afc the latter the " bank '•' is very low, and although no imme-

:( diate encroachments are to be feared, " a serious difficulty seems to be "threatened." Below Mr M'Lean's house, says the report, "matters " rapidly assume a worse ap- " pearance, and somo important " encroachments are noticeable. These • '• continue, more or less, down to Mr' " Carter's, where the trouble finally ter- " minutes, for the river bank from that " point is high and secure." Tho general impression left by the report, as a whole, is decidedly unpleasant. The Board of Conservators do not appear to have been successful in their efforts, and the river may, or may not, commit serious damages.