LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 592, 17 March 1882, Page 2

LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE.

To the Editor.

Sir.—ln reading Mr Coop's letter re Lake Ellesrnere, I think he has very much underrated the agency of the sea in filling up the lake, lie owns that it built the shingle bank. Now that bank to be at the height it sometimes attains, will have to be raised five or six feet if not more, to do which anyone can see that the waves in a heavy sea must be that mnch over the bank as it (the bank) is at present. The lake has risen over three feet this summer since the closing of the spit, which is proved by a marked post. What has filled it up to that height ? ' ot the fresh water, as Lake Forsyth which is affected at once by any Hood, has never been lower. By giving the example of Forsyth Mr Coop seems to show that he is wrong, as Forsyth is fresh water or nearly so, and Ellesrnere is nearly as salt as the sea. This alone would seem to show that they derived their ilood water from different sources. Of course as Mr Coop says, the lake will have to be let out this winler, and unless the Government can be induced to take it up, that will be a matter for the Little River Road Board, as usual. The ratepayers of Pigeon Bay, Lβ Bon's, Okain's, etc., will never consent that the few pounds the County has, shall be employed to protect the Little River Road Board (or even the Government) property, from which they derive no benefit. The Government and Little River people get the benefit of the reserve land when the lake is down, and out of that land should come- the expenses of any work done either temporary or permanent. Yours, etc.,

A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE,