RIVER PROTECTION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17124, 20 April 1921, Page 6

RIVER PROTECTION.

VISIT OF INSPECTION.

Members of the South Waimakariri River Board, 'accompanied by the overseer, Mr T. Jeal, made a visit of inspection yesterday to certain of tho protective works along the southern banks of the big river, and also viewed certain of'the reserves hi respect of wlhich action is projected. The first part of the river inspected was in tho locality of Stewart's Gully. along the south bank between the Empire bridge and the railway bridge. At various spots along this stiotch were to be .seen places where the river is rapidly working to the soutHi and eating away tho bank. Technically, this section is not within the Board's jurisdiction, which, only operates lrom the Empire bridge upstream, but certain protective works have been installed, mainly with the object of preserving "he Board's reserves impinging on tho river from destruction. Within the last twelve months the stream had at certain points eaten its way fully a chain to the southward, in some places more, and the general tendency of tine force contained in tho water is to attack strongly the southern bank in this locality, and to threaten'the railway bridge. A proposal was made by the Board to the Railway Department for tho latter to build up protective works the safety of its own communications, but the Departmental officers considered tihe proposal uneconomic; that, in fact, it would be cheaper to build a new bridge if the present ■ one were cut off by change in the course of tho river, than to spend money in fighting the water. Should tho river break through at (this spot it would, in the opinion of tha overseer, make its way to the Styx, and out to sea through the present lagoons. No danger to the city or suburbs is apprehended from a break through at this j>lace. Such danger, when it existed, was in respect of a break through much higher up, hut massive protective works have been in-' stalled at all strategic pointß, and tho safety of the city, so far an human foresight allows, is assured. A few of these groynes were inspected, and tho success of their operation was made clear, for where before. the full force of tho current banged into tho banks, there are now to bo seen large arca3 of newly-built-up * ground, caused by tho action of the groynes with at the mostJ a pool of dead water surrounding tfiw works. The inwardness of the method 1 employed is to make the river fight itself in place of attacking the southern banks. At what is known as No. 1 groyne, at Mason's Flat, new land is being built up at a. rapid rate, and will form an appreciable increase to the area of reserves held by tho Board. The osier. willow plantations at Mason's Flat and elsewhere were inspected, and the overseer stated there was now a much improved demand for these willows for basket-making purposes. A little higher up the party went over a thirty-acre reserve, known as Spencer's, where the gorse, broom, and manuka scrub is being cleared by contract as' a preliminary to bringing the land into profit. Another reserves, still further upstream, was. also inspected, where three years ago lucerne was planted and has now disappeared. It was proposed that a r.ursery .should be established on this area to develop tree planting operations, but as the soil, is poor and the'locality badly 1 in of shelter, the opinion was come to that a better site for tlhe nursery would be a well-sheltered paddock at Mason's Flat, at present being used for grazing cattle. The Board, however, will settle this matter at a later meeting.