RIVER EROSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 58, 3 April 1946, Page 5

RIVER EROSION

SERIOUS ENCROACHMENT AT REWARAU

DEPUTATION TO COUNTY COUNCIL The encroachment of the Wha.katane River towards Rewarau Road at Opouriao was emphasised by a deputation comprising Messrs. Yeoman', W. and L. Davies who waited on the Whakatane County Council at its meeting last week. It was claimed that unless some preventative work was done the road would be undermined and obliterated cutting off an important section of settlers who had no other access. Mr Yeoman said that already a lot of valuable land had been washed away and that as there’ were many old river channels in the vicinity he feared that the river might find its old course and do uncalculable damage unless checked. He •suggested a new cutting whereby the river could be straightened and confined. ~ , Mr W. Davies said he could speak :for all the settlers on the far side of the river who viewed the steady erosion towards the road with growing alarm. He himself had spent £SOO •of subsidised money on prevention work on his own property and as he only had about another three acres to lose he was not worried about his own case. The road was the main concern and if it disappeared the Council would be faced with the -expense of providing new access to the settlers. - Instancing the swiftness of the erosion now taking place he added that a post which a few years ago had stood 40 yards on the western side of the river was today well on the other bank, r the river had eaten right through the bank and built up again on - the far side. Mr Davies asked that the preventive work, whatever it was be borne by the Council with the assistance of subsidies from the P.W.D. The chairman (Mr J. L. Burnett) said that a great deal depended upon what assistance the Council could get from the Soil Erosion Council. The matter would certainly be taken ,up and the engineer would report -.the matter to Wellington. He assured the speakers that the Council would do everything possible to 3ielp, and that Wellington was already conversant with the problems peculiar to the Whakatane, as an aerial survey had been made of the river from its source to its mouth The whole question was referred -to the Works Committee for investigation, and the deputation was assured of information'as soon as a definite decision had been reached.