The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 11th, 1924.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 11th, 1924.

A LIABILITY RFA’T VFD. At the Borough Council meeting on Friday night tho Minister of Public Works revived an old Government claim by puessing for payment for about £lo(X) alleged to lie due by the Council for the local body's share of the cost of the protective works undertaken at the time of the iuvnfiion of tht* sea in 1014. Aftor ten years, the Government has seen lit to press for the elaim, which it was thou gilt generally had laid so long in abeyance tliat it was not to he persisted in. The Hon, Minister’s letter, noeerer, is so delinibe that the ratepayers need not have t.wo opinions on tile matte.. For some reason or other, whether hard up or not, the Government. wants tiie money, and the tone of the lottei indicates it is to be pressed for. The Council took up tho very proper attitude of not repudiating the debt. Kveu though the account is an old one, tho circumstances of the case will bo well in the mind of many. The sen at the time made serious inroads and the plight of the principal business portion of the town was in serious jeopardy. As the custodians, the Council appealed to the Government for aid. and the Council roa'dilv in the

public interests offered to provide £. r >oo towards the cost involved on a £ for £ basis; that is the Government were to spend an equal amount. The Government duly responded, sent its principal officers here, ami a scheme of protection was placed in hand. The work went on under the direction of tho Government—it was their scheme. THe original estimate was soon exceeded, and it was not till nearly £3,0C0 had been spent that the expenditure ceased. What effect the works put in under tho direction of the Public. Works Department had is a matter of conjecture. It will ho remembered it was a very anxious time for tho citizens, and anything possible which miild he done, was welcomed as a siiccould ho done, was welcomed as a stop towards salvation. It will be recalled that the successive {itje* often wiped out pho &r-

duous work of the previous few hours, and it was not long bet ore all trace of the various kinds of barracades raised had disa] pealed. It was a light with the sea, and the sea was master of the situation, till hy one of the vagaries of nature, it lelented and ret mated to its ocean lied. Ihe work done was then largely of a combative nature -the endeavor to hold the sea at bay when ill its worst, mood. It could Ik* eheeked only, not stopped or deli.nil'.i’.y eon Broiled. *S*> was created the large bill of jartieulani of which the Council is now reminded it has to pay one halt. The Council at tho outset, agreed to contribute u]> to £sol*, on a gioss expenditure- of £I,OOO. I<> what extent the credit ol the Council was pledged iurtller is the subject of an enlpiiry, hut we can recall that to offer £bOO was a hig strain on the local resources, and it would appear tne extra expenditure was incurred because of the. serious nature of the erosion and the desire to save public as well as private property from a serious disaster. The whole matter

must now become a subject for negotiation. Some liability was agreed to. and that at least must be accepted. As to the additional amount, the whole circumstances of the ease are well worth looking into. The charge pmposed to lie levied would have a crip--1 ling effect, on the Council. Tho visitation of the sea has bail a serious effect on the finances of the Council ever since. As a result of the depreciation in values in Hevell Street rating values in that locality were reduced. and the Council has suffered a corresponding loss of income ever since. The town itself suffered also, for the visitation wiis n, veiy had advertisement, the ('fleet of which is felt to this day. It is not necessary to

icier to the value of the works plit

beyond commenting on the fact that what was done was mainly experimental. Nothing of a. permanent nature was put in for the large expenditure incurred. Th-' sea wiped out much of the work ipiii her than it was placed in |o-ition, and as was remarked, the

works were at. the licst only able to cheek and not to prevent further Inroads. The cause was largely oceanic, and this great force was beyond the control of the class of work attempted. All things considered, the position seems to he that the Borough Council has a good deal to say on i part for a reduction of the account. The delay in pressing for payment seems remarkable, hut perhaps reasonable negotiations will lead to the ;iniomit being adjusted on more satisfactory lines than at piesent aske/I for.