SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1920, Page 4

SOUTH WESTLAND

WANGANUI RIVER PROTECTION THE ENGINER’S REPORT. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon M. P. has received the following letter from Sir Wm. Fraser, Minister for Marine:— “Adverting to your letter of the 23rd June and to the Minister’s reply of the 2nd July last, advising you that the Public Works Resident Engineer at Greymouth would furnish a report on the Wanganui River, South Westland, I have to state that the report has now been received.

The Engineer states that it would appear that at one time the river had its course out to sea between Littje Wanganui Bluff and Mount One One, but that as a sand ridge about 15 feet in height and covered with low scrub now connects thie two hills, it is evident that it lias not run out there for many years. (Between Mount One One and the present mouth of the river there is a sand spit of loose sand just above high water mark oyer which the sea breaks into the river, and the Engineer was informed by the residents at Hari Hari, (there being no residents within some miles of the beach), that the river is continually changing its outlet in the three quarter mile between Mount One One and Wanganui Bluff. He states that the river, if confined at its outlet, and also no doubt at times in its natural state, would probably be navigable for vessels of about 8 feet draught, but that it is evident that very oxtensive and costly works would be necessary to make it a dependable harbour.

He adds that in its natural state there must be times when it flows out over a wide shallow bar and that its position, at the time of his visit, would make the entrance dangerous owing to the huge boulders lying at the bottom to leeward of the bar and in close proximity to it. He considers that as a natural bar harbour it would be extremely tricky and uncertain.

The Engineer in conclusion states that taking into consideration the proximity of other harbours, Hokitika to the North, and Okarito only 18 miles to the south, and also the changeable character of the river mouth in its natural state, expenditure even on wharf and road connections is hardly warrantable. The trade likely to be done at the poit, (produce and timber outward and goods inward), would not be of great volume. Works to fix the river outlet would obviously bo far too costly to bo worth consideration.”