LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 601, 18 April 1882, Page 2

LAKE ELLESMERE DRAINAGE SCHEME.

The following is the evidence read by Mr Joblin before the County Council on Saturday last, and omitted from the report through want of space :—

Henry Bachelor: Had been living on the borders of Like Ellesmeie for seven years. Had been working for White & Co., in charge of one of their teams, carting timber. All the timber went by way of the lake, at one of the sides or upon it. Knew there was a large quantity of salt water in the lake, as his horses would never drink of it, and it smelt and tasted like the sea water. Knew nothing of Tamutu, but had often observed that when the sou-westers set in the lake at once began to rise, and would continue lo do so us long as the wind was in that direction. This rise would be perceptible from day to day. Had known the lake rise rapidly when there had been no rain to cause it. Was satisfied if the lake were permitted to reach the bottom of the railway line, that in a gale the water would rise and roll over it, and do damage, as in last winter and the winter before. The line could not be saved by letting the lake out, as the lake could not be let out in a sou , -wester, as every one knew.

Mr William Dear: Had been working about {lie borders of Lake Ellesmere for a good many years. Did not tliink so much sea water came into the lake as 801110 people thought. Knew Ribella and Franco. Believed they were right enough, and supposed what they said about the sea water must be true. Was working for Mr Ooop at present, but bad worked for others about tho lake fide. Could not always understand the big lake, and was puzzled when he came to think about it. Paiticularly remembered once when working at Hart's Creek, Leeston,about ten years ago, before Mr Coop left White & Co. He w>.s punting timber from Stony Point to Hart's Creek. In September the level of the lake was observed, and the opening through the shingle spit at Taiuutu closed. The weather was generally fine, and continued so till Christmas, and yet at that time the level of the lake was three inches lower than in September, and the puzzle was to know what had become of all the water that had flowed in during the stated period. Was quite sure there had been no mistake in recording the levels. The reason he was so sure was this, that their punt, with a certain amount of timber in her. drew a certain depth of water, but at C.iristmas they had less water to float in, and oould not carry co much timber as in September. Had known the lake to rise two feet in two or three days. This rise was all over the lake. Was confident of that, because he had decided it after the wind had gone down. Could swear to this if required, but wish to say that the wind was S.W., and very high, and rain falling continually.

I Thomas Hogg stated he had lived on tho beach, between lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth, more than seven years. Had never lived at Tatuutu, but had been there many times. Was engaged during the period named with one of White and Co.'s teams, taking timber to Lake Ellesmere to be punted across it to Hart's creek, near Leeston ; therefore he knew the lake well. Believed there was twice as much sea water in the lake as fresh, and knew that it came in over the spit at Tamutu. His reasons; for being satisfied of this were, that he had seen the lake rise a foot or more in a night, and this rise could not be attributed to the fresli watercourses, because they varied but little in the quantity they supplied. Had known the lane rise all over 18 inches in 24 hours when there was no rain. Knew this rise could in no wise be caused by the wind, because ho was on tho weather side of the lake. Had known the lake rise higher than this in a like period in the winter gales, when there was rain. His horses would never at any time drink of the lake water, not even when they wore parched by a north-wester, and could not eat their food because lacking water. It might be possible to let the lake waters out, when they threatened to damage the railway, or it might not. It would depend upon the sea being rough or smooth, and as to whether the wind was favorable or unfavorable. Had seen the sea coining over the spit in such quantities that a horse could not go through it. Ilemeiuber being on one occasion at Tainutu ; was on horseback, and had intended to return home by the shingle spit, the distance being so much less. But the sea was coming over in such quantities that the spit was impassible, and had to &o all round by the land, side of the lake, to get home. This was in the mouth of August.

The following are answers from Mr J. Clark to queries from Mr Joblin : — Mr James Clark, Western Vftlley, Little River, Dear Sir, —The Committee appointed by the County Council to obtain information

relating to the reclamation of the Lake Ellesmere Reserve, and to the safety of that part of the railway that lies upon it, would be greatly obliged if you would kindly give replies to the subjoined questions.—l am, yours faithfully,

Geo. R. Joblin, Chairman of the Committee.

Little River, March 18th, 1882. 1. Are you well acquainted with Lake Ellesmere?—l am well acquainted with the lake, having been two years on its waters in White's punt. 2. Have you been accustomed to observe it at all seasons of the year?—My principal business was to observe it, and to mark its rise and fall.

3. Are you cognisant of the characteristics of the Tainutu end of the lake?—l know the Tainutu end, having been there many times. Have seen the sea water coming over the shingle spit into the lake in large quantities. I have seen as much come over in 24 hours as would raise the lake all over in 24 hours. I am certain of this, and have no doubt about it whatever. * Have seen it than once. 4* Do you consider flic line of railway to be endangered by the lake waters? —I believe the line is in danger from the inflow of the sea water, because it comes over in such quantities. It comes over in hundreds of tons. If the sea water couhi be kept out, I believe, from what I have seen, that no danger need be anticipated from the fresh water.

5. From whence do you consider the waters of the lake to be principally derived ?—Most from the sea ; I am confident of that.

6. Are the waters of the lake, in your opinion, materially reduced by evaporation ?—There is in summer time a good deal evaporated, but I can form no opinion as to the quantity.

7. Can you say if any difficulty exists in keeping the waters of the lake, by the means heretofore adopted, so low that the railway cannot be endangered by them ?— It is impossible to let out the lake in a sou-wester, or when the sea is heavy. The best time to let it out is when a nor'-wester is blowing, because it drives the sea water away from the spit, and enables the men to get the shingle well away. As soon as the nor'-wester subsides, the water flows back into the channel formed.

8. Are you of opinion that the stone embankment of the railway is of sufficient strength to render the line safe against the winter gales ?—No ; I am of opinion that the line is not safe when the lake begins to rise.