NEEDLESS CONCERN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 19, 30 October 1945, Page 3

NEEDLESS CONCERN

WAIMANA RIVER EROSION RATEPAYERS WARNING LETTERS Writing on behalf of two Waimana settlers (Messrs Tebbutt and White-man) Messrs Suckling and Barry Solicitors notified the Wha'katane County Council at its meeting last Tuesday that it was considered by their clients that the alteration to the course of the Waimana River consituted a source of danger to their respective properties. Their opinion was that as a result oi:' the alteration the river instead of flowing straight under the Waijnana Bridge as at present would hit the bank practically head on at the end of the bridge and would eventually break throygh and flow through their properties. The County Clerk reported that with the chairman's on October 1 Messrs Suckling and Barry were advised that the council was of opinion that the work would not adversely affect Messrs-. Tcbbutt's and Whiteman's lands and that the council was restoring the river to its original channel. In reply Messrs Suckling, and Barry stated that Messrs Tebbutt and Whiteman were of the opinion that the work being done by the council constituted a danger to their lands and had instructed the writers to advise the council that they held the council liable for any damage which may result by reason of the work being done. The chairman (Mr J. L. Burnett) stated that he honestly did not think there was any danger involved. He asked the engineer to Illustrate the position, for the council's benefit. Cr Wardlaw considered that the new scheme would alleviate the existing danger of erosion. He could not see how the new and safer course would endanger the farms mentioned. Cr Cawte: The position is that they want to be able to go> l'or damages if anything goes wrong. The council decided that the chairman's action be approved.