I).—CD

Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND.

ASHLEY RIVER (REPORT OF RIVERS COMMISSION ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT. To His Excellency the Eight Honourable John Rushworth, Viscount Jellicoe, Admiral of the Fleet, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross qf the Royal Victorian Order, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— The Governor-General's Commission, dated the Bth April, 1919, directed us to inquire into certain matters in respect of the Clutha, Orari, Rangitata, Waimakariri, Ashley, and Maerewhemia Rivers, and such other rivers as might be added thereto from time to time. The Governor-General's further Warrant, dated the 22nd July, 1919, added to the Commission the Waihi, Wairau, Waiau-uha, Taieri, and Aparima Rivers. The present report deals only with the Ashley River. The reports upon the Maerewhemia, Clutha, Aparima, Taieri, Rangitata, Wairau, and Waimakariri Rivers have already been presented ; the reports upon the remaining rivers will be submitted in due course. The time within which we were required to furnish our reports was extended by the Governor-General to the 7th June, 1920, further extended to the 7th December, 1920, and still further extended by Your Excellency to the 7th March, 1921. The Governor-General's Commission directed us, in respect of each river, — " (1.) To inquire into the cause or causes of the silting-up of the channel, the flooding of the adjacent lands by the said river, the erosion of its banks, and the damage to the surrounding country ; " (2.) To ascertain the nature and extent of the damage done to the lands adjacent to the said river, and what area of land is affected by such floods or erosion, or both, and whether it is practicable at reasonable expense to prevent such flooding or erosion, or both, either wholly or partially ; " (3.) To ascertain the best method of providing for the control of the said river and its tributaries so as to safeguard the lands affected, and to provide for the effective control and improvement of the said river and its banks ;

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