BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 156, 6 July 1877, Page 7

BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

The animal statutory meeting of the Board of Conservators for the Clntha River was hold in tho Secretary's offico, Balclutha, at noon -on Saturday last. There were present : Messrs Smith, Brydone, Paterson. Robson, Mason, Dalgliesh, and Inglis. CHAIRMAN. IV fr Paterson moved that Mr James Smith be appointed Chairman of tho Board for the ensuing year. Seconded by Mr Brydone, and carried. MINUTES. The minutes of previous meeting wcro j read and confirmed. I EMPLOYMENT OF ENGINEER. The Chairman explained that at last meeting it had been agreed to employ Messrs Barr and Oliver to make a flying survey of the river with a view to the remoVal of the snags now obstructing tho the navigation. Upon the Secretary communicating with these gentlemen, it was found that they could not undertake the work for some time, and as there was no time to lose, ho (the Chairman), after consulting with a number of tho members of the Board, had employed Messrs Reid and Duncans to do the work. The action of the Chairman was approved of. SUNDRIES. A letter was read from Mr T. M. Hardy-Johnstone as to his professional - charges, etc. To be acknowledged. A letter was read from Messrs Nimmo and Blair, Dunedin, whether tho Board would purchase a shed upon the river bank, Balclutha, belonging to tho executors of the late Mr G. F. Reid. Declined. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts wero passed for payment :— D. M'Farlane, 12s ; Hall and others, LlO. engineers' report. Tho following report by tho Board's engineer waa read : — Dunedin, Juno 29, 1877. To the Chairman, Clutha Board of Conservators. Sir, — In pursuance of your Instructions of the 13th inst. , I effected a flying survey of the Clutha River from the Tuapeka Mouth to Inch Clutha, with a view of laying before you a general idea of tho improvements necessary to render the present channel of tlie river more practicable for navigation. Unfortunately, tlie river was considerably elevated above tho ordinary winter level, so that I had not an opportunity of observing minutely tho nature* and extent of existing obstructions. Attached is a topographical sketch, which shew 3 tho position of the most prominent barriers. The Clutha river, from the point referred to, has an average width of from 600 to 700 feet, with a velocity at its lowest level of four to six miles per hour. -Navigation has already been carried on by steamers of about four feet draught, and rafting operations are prosecuted to Balclutha except when the river is at its lowest level. Throughout its course it is studded with islands and gravel banks, which, dividing its waters into various branches, have caused shallows, and rendered the channel extremely tortuous. Notable instances oi these are shown near tho Clydevale punt crossing, abovo the Ecliiifeehan rocks, and at the southern extremity of Totara Island. Past experience has proved that such shallows and sinuosities of channel form no very serious impediment to ordinary navigation, excepting tho bar abovo Echilfechan rocks : this I shall refer to in another portion of my report. The principal obstructions which render the river almost dangerous in places for navigation consist of rock 3 sunk below the surface of the water, and likewise large snags or logs which have become permanent fixtures in the river. From the Tuapeka Mouth to the junction of the Pomahaka, the former aro frequently discernible, while the latter are to be seen bedded in the river channel as far down as Inch Clutha. In various positions, these snags havo been deposited in tho deepest portion of the Channel, and have gradually accumulated round their roots and branches immense deposits of shingle and gravel. The most conspicuous barrier thus

formed is at the southern extremity of Totara laland, and inunediately opposite the homestead of Messrs Begg Bros. Consequent on this great breastwork of snags and deposit of gravel, the water-way lias been rendered extremely tortuous and contracted, and lias continually proved a Bource of anxiety to navigators. Numerous smaller and less dangerous deposits of snags have taken place along the channel as far as the Te Houka rock, and at some distance above the Pomahaka river.

Another impediment, although not so serious, exists in the channel at a place known as the Echilfechan rocks. These rock, extend across the full width of the river, dividing the stream into channels varying from 30 feet to GO feet in width. The cuixent likewise assumes a great velocity, but with su/iicier. t care and skill in pilotage no danger need be apprehended.

Previous to laying before you any detailed .scheme for the removal of the obstructions I havo briefly described, it would have been necessary for mo to have made a very minute survey for the purpose of determining the exact nature of their dimensions and surroundings. However, as no opportunity presented itself for such a survey. I am only in a position to give you a general idea of the manner m which the improvements should be entered upon.

I would recommend that the work of removing snags be commenced in the river channel opposite the Messrs Begg Bros? homestead, after which similar operations be extended as far aa the To Houka rocks on the one side and the Company's puntcrosaing on the other.

The wior. hs operandi for removing ia rather a difficult matter to determine, and doubtless the most speedy and economical mode can only be ascertained by experiment. lam of opinion that the logs which are the most loosely bedded can be raised by means of 'ordinary crab-winch power applied from floating platforms, while those which are the most firmly deposited can bo split and shaken by means

of dynamite or some such powerful explosive body. _ Such details aro a matter for after consideration, and can bo determined as the work proceeds. Conjointly with the removal of snags, I should recommend that the submerged rocks noted on sketch should be defined by means of floating buoys, securely anchored into tho rocks'; and that rocks marked an barely visible should be reduced by moans of blasting. In regard- to the gravel bed or shallow above Eeh.ilfeehan, dredging operations will bo necessary to render the channel sufficiently deep for anything beyond tho ordinary navigation. Tho removal of one or two rocks of the Echilfechan group would add greatly to the general improvement of tho river channel.

I am of opinion that the most advantageous and speedy method of carrying out the work will be tho employing of" day labour, under tho supervision of a thoroughly experienced inspector of works. By adopting this plan, all liability to delay and suspension of works through contractors abandoning the contract will bo superseded, and greater or less strength can bo employed on the works when found necessary.

You will bear in mind that the winter season is tho only period in whicli tho works can be carried on to the greatest advantage, so that no delay Bhould be used in getting tho necessary arrangements completed for commencing tho undertak-

mg.

I am extremely sorry that from tho want of data I am not in a position to forward you an estimate of the cost of carrying out tho works.

Thero i 3 a matter in connection with the deposit of snags whicli I should like your Board to take into their consideration. While engaged in the survey I observed several largo trees standing at a distanco of ten or twenty feet from tho banks of several of the islands. In some instances, especially at Inch Clutha, the bank was formed of yielding material, and a considerable caving was being carried on by the action of tho water. I should strongly recommend that all large trees should be removed from the edges of tho banks for a distanco of at least thirty feet back, so that any danger arising from their being hurled into the river, and thus becoming permanent fixtures, will bo entirely superseded.

1 may mention that, at tho request of Mr Mason, Mayor of Balclutha, it ia my intention to forward to the Council a report upon the protection of the river banks above the township. Although a work of this nature will not be involved in a scheme for improvement of river channel, yet thero is a probability that the line of proposed works may encroach on part of the present navigable channel. I shall thereforo forward" a copy of my report to your Board on its completion. --I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, Ceo. S. Duncan, CE. The report was received, and a long conversational discussion ensued upon the subject. It was agreed by all the members that the point most requiring attention was the channel opposite Messrs Begg Bros.', where tho removal of a few .-'nags would open up a channel in tho centre of the river, and obviate the necessity of a boat taking tho present very dangerous channel at the edge. Various members expressed the desirability of having the work done by contract, but it was pointed out that this was an impossibility, there being no data to guide a tenderer as to cost , nor had tho Board any means of judging as to whether a tender might bo too high or too cheap. After full consideration of tho whole matter,

Mr Mason moved that the work of removing snags to be undertaken this winter be done by day's labour. Seconded by Mr Dalgliesh, and carried.

Mr Brydone moved tliat a Committee, consisting of tho Chairman, Mr Robson, and the mover be appointed to direct the expenditure of a sum not exceeding £-100 in improving the river for navigation ; also, that the Treasurer bo authorised to pay such expenditure. Mr Mason seconded tho motion, which wa3 carried unanimously. POUT MOLY-N'l-UX JETTY. Mr Paterson reported that it was necessary to repair a hole in the Port Molyneux jetty. He estimated the cost at £10. It was resolved that the work be carried out — Mr Paterson to attend to it. RAILWAY PASS. It was pointed out that in attending to the business of the Board the Chairman had frequently to travel long distances by raiVay. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Government requesting a railway pass for the Chairman same aa was tho case with County Councils. ORA-i wrs'cu. Mr Inglis reported that tho Matau Road Board had a double winch, which they wore willing to lend to tho Board. Accepted with thanks. The meeting then adjourned.