SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE REGARDING THE LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 596, 31 March 1882, Page 2

SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE REGARDING THE LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

[Bead by Mr Joblin at tho County Council meoting on March 25.

Thia was the erd of Franco's evidence, and I was much surprised at the groat rise he described in the bight, as having taken place under the circuinstanco>. I had not met him before. When we arrived, Bobella, the father of the station, was absent in hia boat. He had Hiipplied Mr 0. Watkins with information on the occasion of his visit on the 10th February; Mr Lunn described him aa a trustworthy man, and I determined to await his return, being desirous of ascertaining whether he would corroborate certain of Franco's statements. On his ietitni I told him that the information he had furnished to Mr Watkins was highly appreciated, and had been published in the Peninsula paper, and that several of the Councillors and Mayor of Akaroa had been to hie station at Tamiltn to converge with him on the matter, but found him absent, fie said that his name waa Thoma» Robella. that he had been 1G years on tiie lake, and had heard that visitors had been to Tamutu. His evidence confirmed in every respect that given by Franco. He said, it is quito true that the level of the water in the bight was raised sft within 24 hours. On

the occasion referred to, they were fishing in the bight. Their boat was swamped by the aeae rolling over the shingle spit into the lake, and they nearly lost four men, and damage to the extent of £50 waa done to their nets. What Franco said about the Pigeon Bay man was quite true. He did not tell Mr Watkins his name was White. He did put off a boat to save Harry White when he was being washed over on the shingle spit. Had his horse not been a good one, he must have been drowned. The-man from Pigeon Bay was another one, not White. The latter thanked him for trying to save him, but he told him that had he known who he was he would not have taken the trouble.

Mr Quealy, surveyor to tho Little River Koad Board, declared he was of opinion that the water of the Lake Elleamere was principally supplied from the sea, being driven over the shingle spit at Tamutu by the sou-westerly gales. He had seen the sea water come over in such quantities that it was difficult to pass along the spit. Had had considerable experience of the lake at every season of tho yenr, and believed the line of railway to be in great danger from the waters of the lake. Had been engaged by contractor McGrath to see that tho outlet at Tamutu did not close. For this work Mr McGrath's nontract price was £500. Very little difficulty waa experienced, as the Reason was exceptionally favorable. The railway line might be seriously damaged by a sou'wester, as at such a time it would be impossible to let the lake out. Knew the line well, having been engaged in superintending the work of its formation. Had not noticed whether tho volume of water in the lako was diminised by evaporation, when the outlet was closed. Knew nothing of what the suggested embankment might effect.

Mr Chas. Chapman, of Lake Forsyth, stated that he had lived on the margin of Lake Ellesmere about 21 years—at the north end of the lake. Was not so well acquainted with the Tamutu end, though he was no stranger there. He had the work of letting the lake out three ditterent times. The first time the lake was pretty full, and he commenced operation at the beginning of August, but did not succeed in getting the water out till the first week in September, when the weather became fine. During that period a sufficient opening was twice made through the spit, but the sea closed it up again. On another occasion, they begun the work in the first week in May, and were very much bothered; but they tried hard, as they wished to save the road. It took them a month to accomplish the work. He knew there was a very great quantity of sea water driven over the shingle spit into the lake. On one of the occasions, when engaged in letting the lake out, he and his assistants were camped near to the place where they were working. In the night a sou' wester sprang up, and it took them all they knew to get safely away ; and in the morning the sea was rolling over that part of the spit, upon which their tent had stood, into the lake. The lake could not be let out when the weather was unfavorable, however numerous the hands might be, or the horse scoops. Could no: say whether the lake contained moat sea water or fresh water, but knew that it" often rises very high and very suddenly. Remembered once having gone to the head of Port Cooper for flour for Mr Btrdling. When he went the water scarcely covered the road : but when he returned it was up to the bed of the oarr. The interval was 6 or 7 hours. Did not believe tha: the rail ■ wiy would be safe unless the lake was kept open.