SEA THREATENS WANGANUI HARBOUR

Chronicle (Levin), 21 August 1946, Page 7

SEA THREATENS WANGANUI HARBOUR

-Press Association

POSSIBILITY OF RIVEK OUTLET . BEING BLOCKED

By Telegraph -

WANGANUI, August itu. Heavy seas threaten to breach a 1000-foot gap in a narrow strip of beacti above the present outlet of the IV anganui River and render the river unnavigable through elimiuatiqg the deep water near GastloclitQ: and the harbour channel to the Town Wliarf at Wanganui. Only urgent action can save tne harbour if heavy seas continue, aud an enginecr of the iMarine Departinent is at Wanganui today to advise the Harbour Board on remedial nicasures. Wanganui Harbour, Board officiais, who have attempted to avert disaster by plugging gaps with filled sijndbags, report that on three- occasioixs, and at tlxree diii'ereixt sections of the Soutn Spit — a narrow marram-planted strip ot beach between the rivcr and the sea — the waves have burst through. it.xs obvious that more tlian sandbags wili be required to stop tl,n waves. It was lxoped to have had the servxces of the English harbour ongineers who recentlv visited the West Coast of the South island and reported on harbour possibilities at Greymouth and Westport, but when it liecanie known yesterday that they would uot be available, _ the chairman of tne Harbour Boaru, Mr. E. A. Millward, cominunicated with the Marine Departinent, and was assured that advice would be available. An enginecr from Wellington will xnspect the harbour today and advise on remedial measures. L'p to the present attempts have been made to hold the sea at bay by lilling in the gap with saiul-filled bags, but higlxer and more devastating seas have made the gap widcr, and at a meeting of the board yesterday it was discloseit that .the spit was being breached on a t'ront of 1UOO feet, and that if the sea broke through the .river .would be renuered xxulit for navigation. Uxxion Offers Help

A deputation from the M'anganui | Watcrside Workers' Cnion waited on the board and oll'ered the free labour of 50 of its members to help stav the sea, but after liaving inspected the j break, the members of the union were j satisiied that it had gone far beyond tne I pick and shovel stage, and sonie more j permanent and more effective measures j were necessary. "The sea breaking ixito the river on : the South Spit has lxot yet ail'ecteu j vesaels proceeding to tlie Town Wliarf," the harbounnaster, Cuptain K. j D. Stewart, reported to the board. , "If gales continue there mav be a lot of trouble," reported tlie* board s i works supervisor, Mr. T. (f. Mutliixs. He ! said that flie sea had broken through : wealc sections of Ihe sjiit on three occasions, and at three difTerent poinis. lie had had this part strengthened wicn stone and niud, which ...prevented the breaks from becoming very serious. The trouble could be alleviated 111 three ways, said Mr. -Mullins. Thev were extexidiug tlie nortlx moJe 50u feet; constructiug a channel in tne south mole; or building groynes on ttie. beach. "It is a major problem, tlie gravcst the Harbour Board has .faced in xts j history," said Mr. F. W. Gould, who leu ! ihe deputation of watersiders to the : ooard, "and I do uot think soine of you | gentlemen realise how serious it is. it > is beyond local labour to controJ. It is I possible the South Beach may lill tJxe ! rivcr and iinish up'on the Gonville! sido. " " Wo realise that the situation is u | serious one, and we are not passing it j ■>y," replied the chairman of the board, j "'but tlie only thing we can do, untxi j we can gct some export directiuii, is to put more sandbags in. " Mr. Gould: Every bag you put in how is a wastc of moncy.