SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE REGARDING THE LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 595, 28 March 1882, Page 2

SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE REGARDING THE LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

[Read by Mr Joblin at the County Council

meeting on March 25.)

On Monday, March 20, proceeded to Leeston. Early on the following morning proceeded in company with Mr Limn to Tainutu. On arriving at that place, found all the men had left their station and gone to fish nt the mouth of the river Irwell. Ketraeing our steps we made direct for that place, and on reaching it, found some of the fishermen. Of these, Mr Lunn indicated one called Franco, as the principal. Accosting him, I stated that I was commissioned by the Akaroa County Council to seek information relating to the lake, and that the Council would thank him for a , ) , reliable i iformation lie might furnish. He expressed much willingness to oblige, and stated that his name was Jno. Franco : that he had been 15 years at their lake fishing station. He know much about the spit at Tamutu, as their station was near opposite to the place where the lake was let out. Knew that the waters from the rivers and springs were flowing into the lake always, and supposed therefore th.it there must be more fresh water in the lake than sea water. Did not know much about the quantity poured in by the rivers and springs, but knew there was a great 'leal of sea water came over the shingle spit at Tamutti. Had known the lake at Tamutu to be raised 5 feet in 24 hours by the sea water rolling into it— over the spit. Was quite sure this large rise was caused by the sen, water only. This was in the winter, and there was no wind in particular. It is a common thing fo r the surf to be very heavy in the months of June, July, August and September, whether the wind be blowing or not. At this season of the year people avoid the spit. He remembered a young man from Pigeon Hay, with a name like Patterson, being in great danger in attempting to journey on the spit. He believed Patterson would have been drowned if he and others had not taken a boat and crossed to him. They took him into their boat and towed his horse astern. Had known the opening for letting out the lake to be closed up in ?> weeks ; and had known it to remain open more than 9 months. A west or sou , -west wind generally closes the lake, but had once known it closed by a south caster. It was impossible to let the lake out when the sea was heavy. It was waste of time to attempt it. Had made trial himself. Procured Osborn's horse scoops, and were 5 weeks before they could get the lake to run. If the sea be heavy the lake en.::not be let out— wind or no wind. In June, July, August and September the is generally heavy, but not always. Occasionally there may be a fine week or two, and then if the lake was well filled it might be let out by a fluke. TiiK bottom of the lake opposite our huts at Tamutu is clay. If an embankment were placed there it might injuriously ait'ect our fishing operations, or it miyht not—he could not say. Had never known the lake burst out unaided. Thought that if the propo3cd embankment were constructed, the opening in the spit would not close, as the sea water would have to flow back again inio the sea, instead of spreading over the lake fiat, and that would keep the opening from being closed. The place where it is proposed the embankment should be put, is rather deep. If the embankment inclined 1o the south, it would be much moro deep ; if it inclined to the north, it would not be deep at ail—not more than about 4ft deep. No, you could not walk across because you would sink into the mud. The mud covers the clay, about that, spot, to a depth in some places of 2ft, &ml more where there are holes. Had made no mistake, when lie said that the sea water rose that part of the lake, it: is proposed to enclose, to a height of sft in 24 hours. He believed the time was less that 24 hours rather than more. This rise was not all over the lake, but only in the narrow part beside their station. The reason it rone so high there, was, because the sea came in faster than it could get away over the; lake flat. Of course, it was pouring out of the bight into the lake all the time. i

(To he continued.)