PROPOSED RECLAMATION OF LAKE ELLESMERE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 589, 7 March 1882, Page 3

PROPOSED RECLAMATION OF LAKE ELLESMERE.

(Continued.)

Annexed is the remainder of the evidence given before the committee appointed by the Alcaroa County Council to collect information having relation to the Peninsula Railway and the Lake Ellesmere Reservo, on the 20th ult:—

Mr McVinney, Leeston, said: If the proposed embankment were constructed, the enclosure, which it would create, would fill rapidly, and when full its waters could readily be let out. No difficulty would be experienced in letting the water out when the enclosure was full. When the lake was full had seen the waters flow over the spit into the sea without any external aid being,, contributed from any source. Had ■once seen the lake let out when it was two feet lower than it was last year. But on that occasion the weather was favorable. The sea water fills the lake much more than the fresh water. Had lived on the lake side nine years, and has been during all that time engaged in receiving timber that was brought across the lake in punts from Little River from Messrs White's saw mills. Have repeatedly seen the Jake rise from 18in to 2ft in 24 hours ; but not within the four years last past. Within that period have not observed the lake rise more than a foot or 18in in 24 hours. On the occasion referred to the rise of the lake was principally caused by sea water. A sou-west galo was blowing and rain falling. Harts' creek is one of the largest ■of our Leeston streams, and I find its waters are not materially affected by the rainfall, I lived long on its banks. I have seen the iake rise 5 or 6 inches in 24 hours when there was no rainfall, but the influx of sea water over the shingle spit depends upon the force and duration of the gale. A dry gale, that is to say a gale unaccompanied by rain, may last but a clay or a few hours; but a wet gale (a .gale accompanied with rain) may lat>t a week. The lake's waves will rise in a heavy gale to a height of 3or 4 feet. At such a time the railway must feel it. The lake could not be let out in a sou-west gale, as no one could get near the mouth to work. In calm weather when the lake was quite full a few old Maori women have been known to let it out by scratching a passage with a few flat sticks. Once started it quickly clears a passage for itself. As I have had to receive and take ■charge of White's timber, I was bound to attend to the changes of the lake. I cannot say what amount of wnter might be removed from the lake by evaporation. In a heavy gale I should think the stones of the railway embankment must go if the lake be permitted to rise. Mr Marshall, Lakeside, knew the lake very well as his farm was bounded by it. Was aware that in south-westers a large amount of sea water was poured into the lake at Tamutu, but could not say what proportion this bore to the volume of water that was in the lake when it was full. Believed that if the lake were not kept down the railway lying on its borders must be swept away. Knew there was a great amount of evaporation from the lake in the summer months, but could not form an estimate of the quanity of water removed by such process. Believed that if the lake could be kept at its lowest level the reclaimed land would readily find purchasers. £2 per acie might be regarded as the minimum. On such terms he himself would be prepared to purchase.

On approaching the fishermens' huts at Tamutu, the committee found all of them to be empty. This being the spot where it has been suggested an embankment could be easily constructed. Messrs Masofield and Watkins took a boat and proceeded across the mouth of the inlet to ascertain the depth. This at the greatest was found to be 13ft, As the lake here is said by the fisherman to be 3ft above its lowest level, the depth at that low level, would at its greatest be 10ft. Subsequently two fishermen were encountered on the shingle spit dragging their nets. In reply to interrogatories, they stated that the shingle extended in the lake, about one chain's length, and then clay was found. In driving poles for their fishing operations they found the clay was about six feet in thickness. Beyond six feet they could not drive. Their statements having reference to the conditions under which the lake could be let out, were in unieon with those previously expressed and recorded. Mr Frank Gread, Little River, said : He had seen sea water coming over the shingle spit at Tamutu for the space of half a mile—from tussock to tussock —(as shown in Mr Watkins's plan) averaging about 3ft in depth. After the lake had been sent running put at Tamutu the sea had been known to block it up several times. This was through the setting in of bad weather. This was seven or eight years ago. Several contractors engaged in the work, and as one relinquished the work another was induced to take it up. No horse scoops were used on the occasion. The lake waters nt that time would have been above the level of the railway line. The weather was very unfavorable. On the occasion referred to, the Koad Board had called for tenders for letting out the lake, vvhen they considered it had risen high .enough to be let out ; but before the work of "finally letting it out had been accomplished three months had passed. If the suggested embankment were made, lie believed the passage through the spit at Tamutu would be always kept open. There would be no probability in his opinion of the enclosure within the embankment being filled by the shingle from the sea. Had known the lake to 'be raised 18in in a southerly sale ascompanied

by rain. On such occasion he believed 17 of these 18in of water would be derived from the sea. Had also known the lake raised 18in in a trale, during which no rnin has fallen. If the lake were not let out it would iise 7or Bft above the level of the railway before it vvoiiH burst out unaided. Hud been eight months on the Lake Ellesmere, at one time i'min May till Christinas, but have been at work on and between the two lakes for a period of eight years. During those eight years Lake Ellesmere has never iisen without his knowledge not so mucli as a foot. Have known the lake waves in a gale ieach the height of 4ft. On this occasion the lee side of the lake was risen 3ft. In a Nor'-west gale this was nothing unusual. On the occasion referred to, he was in the punt.: She was loaded 3ft deep i.e., that was her draught of water. When the waters receded the punt was left high and dry on the land. He believed that if the proposed embankment were constructed the railway would be quite safe, and the lake reserve reclaimed.