WRIGHT'S BANK.
RIVER TRUST APPROACHED DANGER TO NORTH ROAD. Doubts were expressed by Mr J. A. Flesher at yesterday's meeting of the Waimakariri River Trust as to whether a deputation should be heard with reference to Wright's stop-bank, where the rirer broke through a year ago with disastrous results. Eventually the deputation was heard. In connexion with the bank the secretary, Mr C W. Hervey, read the following letter, which had been sent to Mr J. Smalley:—The petition presented to the Trust by Mr James AVright and yourself has received the Trust's con-
sideration, and I have to inform you that the raising of the lovees as mentioned in the petition would also necessitate raising of the stop-bank at Chaney's, as on the transverse section there is very little difference in the levels of these two banks. Your petition will receive consideration when the report regarding a comprehensive scheme for control comes to hand from England. In the meantime the Trust regrets that it cannot meet the wishes of "the petitioners as the raising of the banks as suggested would involve very heavy expenditure—an expenditure which may not be justifiable when the work to be carried out in the near future is decided upon. Mr Flesher asked what the procedure was in receiving deputations. He said it was usual for a local body to receive a request for a hearing at one meeting, and to decide to give it at the next. Mr James Wright, on whose land the stop-bank is standing, introduced the deputation. "This is my big family," he said. "What we want to impress on you is the danger if the bank •is allowed to stand as it is at present."
The Weakest Part. Mr Link Wright said the bank from the Kaikanui Creek to the Cutting bridge was the lowest and weakest part of the protection works. By the action of the old Trust in turning all the water into the main stream, their land was taking all the water in flood time. The Cutting bridge was taking only two-thirds of the volume of water it could carry if the stream was cleaned out. The bank needed strengthening and raising. "We are only asking for a fair thing," said Mr J. W. Barnard. "The bank should be raised about 18 inches. We are getting all the water in flood time, and myself and Mr Wright are being forced to drive about 300p sheep backwards and forwards. We don't want to be washed out before action is taken."
Mr Smalley said he regretted nothing had been done. The last flood had cleared all the new stuff off tho bank as far up as it reached, and the two spur groynes had also been damaged. "We are not asking for concessions or favours—simply justice." The Trust built the bank on the south side up to a certain height, but Wright's bank is considerably lower than this and the Olarkville stop-bank. If there was a big flood the water would again break through at Wright's. Mr Gordon Wright saidJhat if they inspected the bank they would see its unsatisfactory condition. Improving the bank would be cheaper than repairing breaches. Since the Trust had brought the water down into a neck, land had been flooded twice which had not been affected before for 21 years. Furthermore, by the weakness of the bank the North road was always- liable to flooding. •
Mr H. Jury said that sooner or later there would be another big flood which would break across the North road 'in two or three places. Repairs should be made to the floodgates at the outlet of Greig's road drain. . Mr J. H. Blackwell (acting chairman) said the Trust was extremely anxious to make a satisfactory job at the point, and one which would be safe for all time. A report on a permanent scheme 'was expected to arrive from England before Christmas. There were diverse interests to be considered, and the Trust endeavoured to be fair to all. The locality-was the crucial point of a permanent scheme of river improvement. It was sincerely hoped that an efficacious scheme would finally be promoted.
The deputation then withdrew. Deputation Supported. Mr F. W. Freeman said he iiad been told at a meeting of the Works Committee that everything was all right, yet they had learned from the deputation that even the Trust's own works were being imperilled. "It is only the old bank war," said Mr A. Manhirc. "Do we realise what this means to Christchurch and 'North Canterbury ?" asked Mr Freeman. "In a week 12,000 cars pass over the Empire bridge." He said some of the settlers did not know when they might bo washed out to sea. Mr Manhirc said if the water did not go over north of the Empire bridge it would flood at Chaney's, and the North road would be blocked just as effectively. . "I .disagree with Mr Manhire," said Mr Freeman. "It is an affront to the City of Christchurch to imperil the road communications. The bank wants strengthening." It endangered valuable land and should be blanketed, fastened, and adequately protected. The fanners endangered were serious about the matter—their lives and propety were imperilled. Mr Manhire said they should not spend all the ratepayers' money on the protection of Wrights' property. No less than £3OOO had been spent on the bank last year. Their land had been flooded for 60 years, and it was nc new thing. Mr H. E. Evans said he was in accord with Mr Freeman. The- bank should be strengthened. Mr Manhire moved that the Engineer be "instructed to report to the Works Committee on the cost of strengthening the bank and the new floodgates. Mr Flesher, in seconding the motion, said they could not issue a blank cheque on the matter. Tho Trust's time should not be taken up with deputations, the spokesmen of which" were responsible for needless repetition. The representations could be put into writing. The motion was carried. On the Other Side. Thomas Engelbrecht (chairman) and Harry Banks (secretary) wrote on behalf of the Coutts Island Ratepayers' Association expressing appreciation of the work done by the Trust for the benefit and safety of the Coutts Island settlers in general. A member.' Somebodv appreciates it anyhow. Mr Freeman: Yes, but at what cost? Ine letter was received.
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Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19159, 16 November 1927, Page 8
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1,059WRIGHT'S BANK. Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19159, 16 November 1927, Page 8
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