WESTLAND FLOODS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 8

WESTLAND FLOODS.

EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.

RIVER PROTECTION WORKS

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Hokitika, April 8. Some idea of the extensive damage done in West land by the recent Hoods was given by tho chairinau of tho Westland County Council in his report 'submitted at to-day's meeting ol' the council., Mr. Lirimmoml alto issued a warning of tho danger of denuding the banks of tho rivers of tho natural protection in their forests. 'i'ho chairman's report stated:—ln tho north the most serious damage was that occusioi/ed to the' Teremakau Bridge where .the southern approach and two spans were washed out, completely dislocating tho traffic. Tho bridge in question is under the control of tile Kuuiura Borough Council, but this council is a contributing authority towards its maintenance. Government 'officers liavo visited and reported on the extent of tho damage and tho cost of renewal, and 1 am hopeful to hear very shortly that a grant has been authorised for .reconstruction and the work put in hand. Meanwhile, I understand what, can bo done is being done to maintain traffic. In the 'Middle District the. chief damage has been done to the Kokatahi. River 'protection. It appears rather fortunate that tho 'damage was not more extensive, than that, reported. The question of carrying out more substantial and costly work m tho way of pile protcoiion above tho Kokatalii'River bridge is a matter for serious attention, and in view of the warning recently given in the south this work cannot be too early attended to. By far the most . serious and farreaching damage has been done in the inttr-Wauganui district, where tho whole Wanganui flat, is threatened by tho inroads of tho big Wanganui River. The new bridge and approaches over the river remain intact, but the, structure had, a narrow shave, and required tome attention from' the Mr. I'. llendes, who resides by the river, informed mo that the damage to the. Hat was caused by the river being diverted from its original bed through an . accumulation of driftwood and scrub a few chains below the bridge. This diversion caused a largo branch of the Wanganui,'equal in volume to the little Waituha River, finding its way into ail old watercourse and then making'its way acres* the Ilat. The diversion cut at right angles from the main stream, and for half a mile followed closo to the main South Road,'a barricade of blackberries alone saving the road from being promptly turned into a watercourse. The new stream followed this course for about hall, a-mile, and still tiaveiling diagonally, swept across Robertson's Road,' 'above M'Kuy's farm, thence, after breaking into two separate streams, tkroiftli the Wanganui flat road, which it crossed by the -well-known open crossings, both of which were converted into deep streams. This excess of water did serious damage to all tho 'holdings adjacent, submerging' tho paddocks • and roads, and caused loss of-stock and serious general damage to properly, Mr. llcjides's lower paddocks "hre covoredwith largo stones, and a deep wide river bed ..is formed. It will involve! on expenditure o* at least .£.'109 to reinstate-the various roads of , the Hat to the same:.condition as they were before/ ]?or 'the -present "temporary repairs will suffice' to enable traffic to pass pbuding' the river being controlled l.y permanent protection work. .The total distance of the new: stream which' is doing the damage from where it leaves the main river across the' flat to tho outlet it finds by way of La Fontaine Creek, is about four miles. The La Fonlaiuo is a tributary of the big AVanganui, Which joins tho. main liver some further distance down the stream. Tho protection necessary will require to bo piling, probably from tho bridge down, and at the beach. Tho piles will require to. be c|ose, so as to make it as oA'eptivo as possible. ,A disltinco of. about ..35 chains will require d'6'lie'piled; -Tho'largor question of encouraging settlement along river beds, thereby denuding the' banks of the natural protection of the forest, without taking tome steps to; prevent . river-en-croachment and certain destruction of tho settlers' homes, should' at : once, in my opinion, receive legislative attention. The question is a largo one, and the danger is a growing one, particularly along this coast; and to minimise the risks for the future, a comprehensive scliemo affecting all parts is required. On Saturday last Mr. 11. L. Michels sent tho following .telegram to the Premier, in reference to the position at interWanganui:—' Flood damage at Harihari most serious, and unless immediate steps are taken to divert and maintain tho river in its.original course, it appears as if tlie whole settlement may be endangered. It seems as if tho matter should be treated as one of urgency. I sincerely trust that the Government will immediately authorise the necessary expenditure to savo the locality, which was one of the most promising on the West Coast* (Signed); H. L. Michel." Tho Prime Minister replied:— Your telegram to hand. ** Regret to •hear of serious flood damage at Hariliari. In addition to officers already in the locality, Mr. Lewis, district engineer ini Greymoutli, lias been, instructed to proceed without delay to tho district and report upon the flood damage. Every expedition is , being used by tho Government. , Mr.' George Perry (Mayor of Hokitika, is also in communication with the Gov eminent urging the necessity of prompl action.. ,'