NEW POLICY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18690, 13 May 1926, Page 11

NEW POLICY.

1 ANOTHER LOAN POLL.

WAIMAKARIRF TRUST'S

DECISION.

CONTROL OF RIVERS

Through the majority of the rat"payor?, who voted on the loan proposals of the Waimakariri River Trust, bring insufficient to enable the latter to proceed with the ivorks out lined for i-o"-trolling the "Waimakariri, but Mifficieut to allow it to undertake the diversion of the Eyre river into the latter—which was necessarily a part of the major scheme—the Trust was placed in the awkward position of having to decide whether or not, it should proceed with the work for which it had obtained approval. After .1 lengthy discussion, in committee, yesterday, the Trust issued an outline of its policy, which makes it clear that it is still convinced' of the soundness and practicability of Mr-Hay's scheme, and that it is the Trust's intention, not only to take another poll on it, at an early date, but also to put works in hand in conformity with the proposals, to cost £15,500.

The attitude of the Chamber of Commerce towards the Trust's scheme was outlined in a letter from the chairman (Mr W Machin);

Advice from Business Man,

It was as follows:--"In reference to. the scheme which has lately heon presented to. the ratepayers for the control of the Waimakariri, we are requested to put before the Trust certain considerations which have appealed to the Chamber of Commerce, and to a considerable number of landowners and business and professional men, who arc working in conjunction with them.

"We agree that a well-considered and reasonably unassailable scheme for the control of the river 1 and the protection of the banks is necessary, in the interests of the country lying" to the north, as well as to the south of the river.

"At the same time wo feel that the problem is so ■ difficult, and may have such far-reaching effects, finaucial and otherwise, that it is undesirable to proceed with the scheme which has been put before the ratepayers, or,'indeed, with any scheme, until it has been submitted to an independent expert with larger experience than . New Zealand has provided.

An Independent Engineer

"Wo suggest, therefore, that a statement of-the problem should be prepared by the Trust, and- that such statement, with all available data and plans, now in possession of the Trust, or which can be procured from any outside sourco, accompanied by a statement from Professor Speight, as to the geological aspect of the-problem, and Mr Hay's report and plans, be sent to, the Institute of English Civil Engineers, with a request that they will advise the Trust as to the appointment of an engineer who shall investigate the problem on the spot, and advise and report independently on the scheme. • - ■'

"We gather that the works now in the course of construction on the north bank of the river will give reasonable protection, for the moment to the country lying on that side of the river. Oh the,south side, with a view to removing, as far as- possible-, any immediate menace to the City of Christchiirch and adjoining .country, it would appear that such stop-banks and other works as may, in the opinion of the Trust, be necessary, should be proceeded with out Of, the current income of the Trust, derived from its endowments and rating. '' Wo venture also to suggest that it may be thought advisable by' your Trust, to postpone the works on the scheme .for the diversion. of the river Eyre, until this has been considered as a jiart of the major scheme.

"Friendly Desire to Assist."

fc( May vre here state that this letter is intended as.an evidence of a friendly desire to assist your Trust in a very large and difficult problem; and we shall be glad if the Trust will recognise it as such. "We are • closely .in touch with interests of importance in- the province—both primary and industrial—interests which are .bearing, large financial and commencial responsibilities—uud the. above suggestions represent the unanimous views of the interests which we represent; therefore we respectfully commend them to the attention of vour. .Trust."— . . "

(Signed) AVAL AIACHIN, President of the Chamber of-Commerce.

H. COTTER-ILL,

for the signatories to letter in "The •Press"'of April 13th—H."' ■Cotterill, Francis . Boys, M. ; H. Godby, George Gould, G. E. F. Kingscote, John Montgomery, G. D. Pascoe, E. F. Stead, J. H. Stringer. Tho chairman said, that nothing would be'done in the diversion of the Eyre, unless the people were afforded the same protection as they were now. Air A. Manhire said he -was opposed to the proposals of the Chamber. The majority of the ratepayers and people of Christchurch were in favour of the scheme, and had confidence in the Trust's Engineer. It was nonsense to suggest the bringing out of an engineer at the cost of £IO,OOO. .Air Man'hire suggested that Air F. \V. Furkcrt, who was now at Home, should be asked to visit Italy and America, and investigate river conditions, later giving the results of his experience to the Trust. The chairman said that before the letter could be given consideration. Professor Speight's statement should be obtained. So far as he had seen there had been no statement, but just a good deal of correspondence in the newspapers.

Member Expresses a Doubt,

Mr J. H. Blackwcll said he understood the nine signatories to the letter in "'The Press" were acting in their private capacity, and he did not know that any of them were elected representatives on local bodies. They had merely exercised their rights as private citizens. Any letter from th Chamber of Commerce should receive consideration, but he did not know that its Council had considered- the matter .since the poll. The president had evidently joined with the nine gentlemen mentioned, but he did not know that the Chamber was responsible for the communication. Certainly the Trust had the support of the.majority of the voters on the loan poll, and no alternative scheme had been put forward. People were anxious to have the Trust's future intentions. They would be glad to have a report from Professor Speight from the geological standpoint. • The letter was received, and it .was decided to inform the Chamber that Professor Speight's report would be considered'when it was received.

Mr Ftirkert's Opinion. On a resolution moved by Messrs Ma'rihire and F. G. Horrell, it was decided to write to Mr Furkert, asking him, after having visited America and Italy,, and studied- the rivers, to-ex-

press an opinion as to whether the Trust's scheme was the best for the control of the Waimakariri.

Diversion of the Eyre,

The secretary also-read a petition; praying the Trust to defer the diversion ol the Eyre. The petitioners stated they viewed with alarm and apprehension the diversion of the Eyre into the Waimakariri at Eyreton, some ten or twelve miles above .where its present outlet joins the Waimakariri fiver, particularly in view of the added danger. The petitioners were of opinion that the danger of. flooding, to Christen ureh, audits sur-r rounding districts, Belfast,. Coutts's Island, Kaiapoi Island, and land adjacent thereto, would be considerably increased by the diversion of the Kiver Eyre at the point proposed. In view of the major scheme brought forward by the Trust in connexion with the diversion; of the Waimakariri river rnot having been sanctioned by the ratepayers of the Waimakariri Kiver Trust District, the petitioners were of opinion that the clanger which the Trust apprehended in the event of such major scheme not being carried into effect might be largely increased, and exaggerated by the works now proposed to he done. From an intimate knowledge of the river over along period of. years, the petitioners considered that the banks at this particular point and (or) the' bed of the river below .this particular point were not more'thaii sufficient, even if sufficient, to. carrv the present waters of the -Waimakariri river, and the diversion of the Eyre river at the point proposed would throw ah increased burden upon. tlio ])ed of the Waimakariri river, with, it' was considered, consequent enhanced danger to the properties of the petitioners. ' The petitioners therefore prayed that the' diversion' of the -Eyre should ,he deferred until such time as any' modified scheme had been further decided -upon by the Trust. The petition was dated May 12th, and the signatories were very numerous,' including residents of the City and all parts of the Trust's area. - -It was decided to discuss future policy in committee.

Important Proposals.

When the Trust resumed,.'a statement was /issued outlining tho fol.'iow•ing policy, which had been unanimously agreed to: The work in connexion with tlio Eyre and Giist will be commenced im-' mediately, and be proceeded with at the most- economical rate of progress, the consulting engineers to draw up a programme of works and to report in connexion with the Eyre diversion what modifications of a temporal y nature are necessary, until the poll for tho AVaimakariri scheme is carried. In connexion with this work the Trust decided to call applications for an assistant engineer at £-100 per annum, and to' establish a construction office at a suitable place ■ near the works. It was also decided to purchase up-to-date machinery for the more expeditious and economical c-any-ing-out of the work. In connexion with the AVaimakariri,; it was decided that until such time as tlie loan is carried, the Trust will, go on. with the following works out of rates :

. (1) Erection of stop-banks on south side, on the alignment laid down in Mr Hay's scheme. (2) In order to protect this bank] the construction of a groin and stop-bank at the head of McLean's island. '

(3) The prevention by means of groins of the erosion taking place on the south hank near Kim'ierloy.

(4) Tho clearing out of willows in the channels north and south -of Coutts"s Island, including the island just above "White's bri<lpe.

(51 Completion of tho groins on ,thc north bank, in accordance with the schetno already approved by the Trust. (6) Planting of willows, pinus.'insignis, ;ind other suitable trees on both bajiks of the river.

(7) General maintenance. The above works am estimated, to cost £lß.ooo. of which the work on the south will absorb £10.700. the workon the north £6BOO. and tho clearing of the channel £i!)00.

: The whole of the work is on the lines of the eomprehensiva scheme-re-, cently put.before the ratepayers for'the'; control of the Wnimnkariri. It was aisj decided to ask the Ttailwav Department to assist the Trust by removinp the rock . ba'T.ir.e ac-ro.-a tlte channel at Stewart's Gully bridge. A-motion was parsed that.. Mr F. V v Furkert. engineer-in-chief PublicWorks Department, who is at- prc T sent abroad' be asked to examine river problems in America. Italy, and other countries . and to report whether,._ as a result of his.investigations, any- improvement could be made in- the scheme adopted bvthe Trust lor. the control of the .Waimakarin. The mett-

in" 'passed a vote at tnunks to its stalf for its assistance during the recent campaign. The Trust also, expressed its appreciation of the support ■Ydveii to it in therecenf-campaign by. members- of Parliament, Trades and ■Labour'-Council','- Chrislchurclv City Courier!!' and other local bodies and on'ariisations. and- to those- ratepayers who supported the scheme. It is the intention of the Trust to submit the Waimakarin scheme agaiti to tho ratepaver? at an early date, cm receipt and consideration of report referred to above. '■• . : ■ - -.•