DISCOLORATION OF TARUHERU RIVER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 350, 26 February 1902, Page 3

DISCOLORATION OF TARUHERU RIVER.

(To tho Editor of tho Times.) Sir,—From this morning’s Times I observe that Mr Lysnar has broken out in a fresh place, and is anxious to set the community at rest with regard to tho cause of discoloration of tho Taruheru River. Reading the first part of his letter I was much impressed with the trouble ho went to in his explorations on the Coast in search of truth. But when I carno to tho reference to tho Waibirero water supply, a cloud came o’er my brow, and I twigged sweet 'William’s little game. It was a quiet dig at the Waihirero supply that he was after and to gain that point ho was prepared to move even the river and all that thorein is. But I cannot for the life of me sco how the water of the Taruheru River can affect the Waihirere at its head, unless the river is going to run up hill, which is extremely doubtful. All residents of Gisborne who havo visited Waihirere, know that the water there is as clear as crystal, whilst that in tho Taruheru is at times a dirty brown color. The objection that Mr Lysnar raises may apply to the Taruheru and Waimata rivers, but not to tho Waibirero stream. The water that will flow into the dam at the latter place will be as sweet and pure as rain water caught in a

limo washed tank. It will not be both meat and drink to the residents of Gisborne as Mr Lysnar would have us believe. Even supposing that the water in the dam does show signs of discoloration, surely Mr Lysnar in his extreme wisdom will be able to suggest some means of purifying it. Nothing has proved impossible to him in the past, and I am sure that ho will be found equal to the occasion in tho future. Towards tho close of his letter he almost b

became humorous, and he reminded me of a fond mother administering a pill in a spoonful of jam to her child. He says that tho Gisborne people will swallow anything, and ho has no doubt a little raupo or other vegetable juice with their Waihirere water will go down with a good relish and pleasant smile. I can assure Mr Lysnar that tho raupo liquid will go down with much better zest than some of the doubtful reforms that ho is so anxious to initiate. Gisborne is already pledged to the Waihirere supply, and some stronger reason than the discoloration of the Taruheru will have to bo found before that scheme is abandoned. Mr Lysnar bas been beaten on geological grounds in respect to Waihirere, but like a drowning man, he catches at the last straw, and contends that the water when held in the dam will not keep its color. Such a contention is all moonshine, and emanates only from Mr Lysnar’s too colored which could make water brown or blood-red to suit his own purposes.—l am, etc.,

Citizen.

vTo the Editor of the Times.)

Sir, —Mr W. D. Lysnar in his letter in this morning’s issue of the Times, headed “ Discoloration of Taruheru River,” 3ays: “ The Gisborne people can swallow some extraordinary things at times.” Without wishing to disparage Mr Lysnar’s public spiritedness, I would like to say that I tniuk it will bo hard to make the Gisborne people swallow tho theory which Mr Lysnar brings forward to endeavor to prove that tho Waihirere water will become discolored if caught in a reservoir for tho use of the town. At one time, according to Mr Lysnar, a dam could not be built at Waihirere that would hold water. Now the basin might hold water, but it would certainly become discolored, though at the present time no clearer water can bo found than that coming down the Waihirere stream.

Mr Lysnar’s theory to explain the cause of the discoloration of the Taruheru river seems to me an extremely improbable one. A far more likely theory is in my opinion that the discoloration is caused by the innumerable crabs, eels, and shellfish which, making their homes at the bottom of this and other rivers, particularly at tho roots of flax, raupo, etc., constantly stir up tho light mud as they boro into it and go backwards and forwards to their burrows. In the case of lagoons, no doubt numbers of frogs perpetually in motion would have the effect of keeping the light mud in a stato of solution. But the water of all lagoons that I have ever seen, wbicli have been of any depth, has always been perfectly clear away from the edges. And this, no doubt, would be the case with Waihirere.

As it can easily be proved at comparatively small cost whether Waihirere will bold" water or not, there seems only one serious objection to proceeding at once with this work, and that is the costliness of the scheme, and it is for the ratepayers to say whether they will pay an extra rate averaging some £4 to £5 per annum and have water, or stick to their tanks and save tbo rate until at least the railway is completed into the Motu. While on the subject of the railway I would like to point out how easily the present standard gauge already completed could be made serviceable for running a light train as well as one of the standard gauge. All that would be necessary would bb to lay down another rail between the present two, at the distance from one or other of the existing rails to give the required gauge for the light train —two feet, I understand, being tho gauge required. Then both light trains and standard trains coulcl run on the same line. —I am, etc., C. P. W. Loxgdill.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, If tbo theory put forward in Mr Lysnar’s letter about tho discoloration of the Taruberu Kivev is correct then it certainly does not promise well for the Waihihero water supply, for I take it os a foregone conclusion that where the water is backed up by the dam at the head of Waihirere vegetation of all kinds is bound to grow on the edge of the water, if not in the middle of it, and if it is also true, us Mr Lysnar says, that there is a nucleus in a raupo swamp about the site of the dam to give swamp vegetation a good start in our reservoir, is there not grave reason to consider where we are in this water question, and where we are off to, before it is too late ? I would say let the Borough Council submit both the water and drainage schemes, and tho particular point regarding the discoloration of the water, to the Health Department, and ask their opinion upon these matters. Other towns seek the advico of this department, and it will not cost us anything to get the benefit of that advice. — I am. etc-, Ratepayer.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, —As usual, Mr W. Douglas Lysnar barking up the wrong tree. Why cannot ho admit that ho was fairly beaten over Waihirere, and now help to make the scheme a success ? The chocolate color of the river is no new thing ; it ha 3 been the same for many summers past, and I am surprised that Mr Lysnar has only just seized upon it as an aid to his Waibirerephobia. Why does not Mr Lysnar try something of the constructive order, and not get himself set down as a churlish critic ? —1 am, etc., Wai.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Siu,—l heartily endorse your suggestion that tho Council should take more definite steps to ascertain the reason of the chocolate hue of tho water in the Taruheru river, quite independent of tho way in which it is being made use of by Mr Lysnar.—l am, otc., Whataltoko.