EROSION OF RIVERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2526, 29 July 1915, Page 9

EROSION OF RIVERS

CENTRAL CONTROL TO BE ESTABLISHED. Ail interesting discussion on the need for taking some effective steps to prevent damago by erosion of rivers took placo m the Houso of Representatives yesterday.. In a recent report on the subject, Mr. ITurkert, an engineer in tho Public Works Department, recommended that a council be set up to deal witii the prevention of damage by flooded rivers, and tho control of. rivers in flood time. Rqnlying to a question by Mr. W. H. Field, the Minister of Public works, said that this report would bo laid upon tho table <Sf tho House, and that the Government were considering the question of establishing such a council as Mr. Furkert recommen:led. . Mr. W. 11. Field, referring to the Minister's reply, said he was very glad that it was favourable, as thq question was 0110 of suprenie importance in very many parts of New Zealand. Tho control of rivers by local river boards v.*as likely to prove ineffectivo and cumbersome, and, furthermore, thoro was no work at which money could bo wasted moro freely, and at which more positive harm could be dono by amateurs, than at this work of controlling rivers. Generally, the Government was most unwilling to, spend money on me protection of private property, but ho would point out that the Government was very largely to blame for the present state of affairs, in that they had permitted tho denudation of the forest growth on tho steep hill sides at the headwaters of rivers and streams. The Hon. W. Fraser (the Minister of Public Works) said that tho [subject was one of tho most important any Government could tako up, and if it wero not taken lip now there was going to bo very great trouble in future in controlling rivers. When Hoods occurred now in certain rivers the amount of valuable land washed away, and the damage done to roads and bridges was very heavy indeed, and this damage would be vory much greater in future unless tho matter was dealt with in a comprelicnsivo manner. _ When the honourable gentleman said that'.tho'.Government' objected to spending money on protecting private 'property ho only- stated half tho facts. What he had always said was that it was the boundeii duty of every man to protect his own property, and if Mr. Field wished, to see the ownor_ of property 1 rolieved of .all responsibility for protecting bis own land liewould be disappointed. Mr. Field: I don't expect that. Mr. Fraser said that no Government could relieve owners of .all responsibility. Ho believed it was the intention of the Minister of Internal Affairs to introduce legislation this session to deal with tlie question in a comprehensive way. by the establishment.of a Council or something of the sort. He repeated that the question was one with which the House would have to deal. He admitted that the Government in New Zealand had not in the past given enough consideration to the denudation of hills, especially in steep gorges. When the forest growth was stripped from such country floods and damage wero inevitable. ; Mr. H. G. Ell and Mr. W. D. S. Mac Donald both expressed satisfaction with the Government's intention, agreeing with tho Minister that tho matter was becoming 0110 of extreme urgency all over New Zealand.

The Hon. TV. Fraser (tlio Minister of Public Works) said that tho [subject was one of tlio most important any Government could tako up, and if it wero not taken up now there was going to bo very great trouble in future in controlling rivers. When floods occurred now in certain rivers the amount of valuable land washed away, and the damage done to roads and bridges was very heavy indeed, and this damage would be vory much greater in future unless tho matter was dealt with in a comprelicnsivo manner. _ When the honourable gentleman said that , the : Government objected to spending money on protecting private 'property he only- stated half tho facts. What he had always said was that it was tlie boundeii duty of every man to protect his own property, and if Mr. Field wished, to see the ownor_ of property 1 rolieved of .all responsibility for protecting his own land ll0 : would ])R disnnnnintprl