WANGANUI HARBOUR AGAIN ENDANGERED

Chronicle (Levin), 28 September 1946, Page 5

WANGANUI HARBOUR AGAIN ENDANGERED

WANGANUI, Sept. 26. Another breach has occurred in the South Spit, the heavy seas of the past few days breaking through at a poiut above the protective works which were established teniporarily to close a serious gap some weeks ago. The effect of the new break is to extend the immediate danger by about 50 yards. Erosion is increasing also along the beach further south, towards the Wanganui Airport, 60 yards down shore from tlie latest break. Here tlie river and sea are separated by a strip of sand no more than 25 yards wide. Considerable scouring has taken place in the temporary fascines which have been established along the break in the spit, but tonight they were stiil holding. The latest break conflrms the opinion expressed by the assistant engineer-in-chief of the Works Department (Air. T. Smith) that a uiajor problem faces the Harbour Board along a great portion of the spit. "The whole spit is alive, " was the way in whieh a board member (the Hon. W. J. Rogers, AI.L.C.) interpretod Air. Smith 's report, and the board made Lt clear that the problem of coping with that danger is beyond its linances. An approaeh has been made to thc Government for assistance,. and the need for speed in arriving at some decision as to what should be done, and how it is to be financed, has been unphasised' by the latest breach. Steps taken temporarily to close that breach rre likely to lead to further trouble at ither points along a gradually disippearing b'elt of protectiye sand.