THE WAIMAKARIRI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12404, 23 August 1918, Page 5

THE WAIMAKARIRI.

PROTECTIVE WORKS ON BANKS. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. A deputation from 1 the South Waimakariri River Board Availed on Sir William Fiasor, Minister of Public Works, this morning, and protested against a proposal that the lands north of the river should be brought into the board’s-district, and that tho rating for proposed northern protective works should be extended over the enlarged district. There were present—Messrs W. P. Spencer (chairman), F. E. Jones, 0. Burgess, J. Leslie, J. P. ,W. Lee, H. E. Ferryman, A. S. Bruce and J. L. Scarnell (secretary). Mr G. Witty, M.P., introduced the deputation, and the Hon G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, at Sir William Fraser’s request, also attended, Mr Witty said that if protective works were made on- the northern side of the river, as proposed, it would bo necessary to have further protective works on the southern side. People on the northern side purchased land there with their eyes open, as they knew that erosion was taking place. There should bo a sparate river board for the northern side.

Mr Spencer said that some fifty years ago the river came into Christchurch as far as Cook and Ross’s corner. Southern residents had erected works, as ,a protection. There were several dangerous places still that needed watching. l ■ The inundati.bn nearly recur red--v some ten yeafrs ago, and the, river might come down again at any time. The northern people wished to rope in the southern people and make them pay rates for northern works, while the southern people for nearly half a century had erected their own works.

In reply to the Minister, Mr Spencer said that the board at present received about £4OOO ■ a year from endowments.

Mr Leslie said that the hoard had to bo very alert at flood times to prevent the river coming into the city. Men had to he kept' in readiness at dangerous places- If the river once got n start nothing would stop it. The board had plenty to do attending to the southern bank. The Minister said that he had seen for some time that something must bo done in connection with that river. He did not think that the previous deputation suggested that northern residents should participate in the hoard’s endowments, a point that seemed to occur to the present deputation. What was suggested was- that embankments on the southern side unfairly drove water on the northern side, and caused inore expensive works to be erected there. He held a very strong opinion that where a river had to be protected there should be only one board, otherwise there _ would be continually one board fighting against the other. Experience had proved that there must bo united control of every river, but United control did not necessarily mean that endowments set aside years ago would be handed over to other people. Ho did not think that Parliament '“.'sulci pass legislation to do that. Each side of the river should pay its own rate. Hie best plan was to obtain reports from engineers -as to whether damage was likely to bo caused by, certain works. He intended to have reports prepared. In the meantime he could not come to a decision. Mr Russell said that there were shocking examples'of the evils caused by contending river boards. The multiplicity of boards must be swept away. Hieie should bo one body for each river, and which should have control of tlio river from its source practically to its mouth. Residents on both sides of the Waimakariri should pay a share of the cost of protecting UJiristchurch against the river. «

Mr thanked the Minister and the deputation withdrew.