EROSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 52, 29 February 1944, Page 5

EROSION

VEXED BOROUGH QUESTION WHAKATANE BRIDGE APPROACHES An interesting debate which wilt have a strong bearing on the present flooded state of the Rangiitaiki Plains occurred l at the meeting of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce last Thursday when Mr Arthur Hall in no uncertain terms condemned the indifference of the various local bodiesi and Departmental! Engineers, towards the steady erosion which was taking place at the Whakatane River bridge. Mr Hall was strongly critical of what, he said appeared to be nobody's business. It had to be tackled soon or tho consequences would be most serious. All the local bodies operating in the town appeared to have side stepped the responsibility. Mr J. Crgcke said it was erroneous to suppose that the Borough Council had been apathetic. It was just the reverse and was very worried about the position. It had taken steps to bring the bridge to the notice of the River Erosion Board. Mr Dillicar: When. I came, to Whakatane twelve years, ago there was a notice at the bridge notifying that it was unsafe for traffic. What has happened since then? The chairman: Lives are not so valuable- now. On Mr Brabant's motion it Avas decided to put the matter o-.i the agenda for discussion at the next executive meeting and in the mean" t'iine to draw the attention of the County* Council to the condition of the. bridge and to Avire Mr W. Sulli-i van asking him to contact the. Minister and, bring pressure to bear on the P.VV.D. in order that something be done to check the present, erosion.