PROTECTIVE WORKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 935, 5 May 1883, Page 2

PROTECTIVE WORKS.

To the Editor.

Sir, —In your columns some time ago I saw, to the best of my belief, a paragraph on the opening of the Rangitata traffic bridge, at which ceremony some gentleman in dilating on the merits of the work, expressed himself much to this effect—“ That the chief points of the bridge were three, viz., (1) Simplicity of design, (2) durability, (3) low cost of construction—throe qualities that everyone tries to possess in whatever they may require. It is not my purpose to do more than detain you a few moments, and bring before you a matter of the greatest moment. Is the district called the Ashburton Forks any good to the town ; and do the people of the County residing along the Ashburton river desire a good road to the Alford bush ? Some two years ago the County Council expended some large amount in protecting the bank of the north branch near Messrs Sutherland and Weldon’s property. These works (not at all suitable) are now whelly or partially destroyed, and the timber that composed the groins has been washed away or carried off by spirits to boil the pot. We may now say with this preface that the question presents itself —What will be the termination of these continual freshes and overflowings? Older residents than I say that that the river keeps washing away more and more soil, and that soon from Winchmore to Lagmhor will be one large shingly river bed. Such an event is not improbable. Let the County Engineer be petitioned to go and visit this river bank from Winchmore upwaids, and see the damage already done; then go to Mr Isaac Sargeant’s farm and see the means used to control the greatest floods, which means having three chief points that will astonish even the Ashburton County Council for (1) simplicity of design, (2) durability, (3) low cost of construction. It is necessary to say that what is to be done must be done quickly.—l am, etc., Settx.br,