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Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1927, Page 2

The question of river protection is cropping up in :i serious phase in South Westland and oilier purls if the district. Naturally, with so many streams rushing from the high hack country In Hie sea, as there are along this Const, tin’s locality must he prom to recurring damage with the successive Hoods. There is the further fact, too, that the gradual wearing down of the hills at the hack by slips or other natural wasting, supplies a quantity of debris which causes a gradual filling up process. In this way many river beds are rising. Tn the ease of numerous short streams in t south, where there is a great outflow of debris, these watercourses are building themselves up on a fan formation, ranging above the surrounding country. over which their waters are shod in heavy rainfall. Turning more directly to the river erosion, this, ton. has vagaries, due to the frequency v ’ which the streams change their courses. The point of attack is often shifted by a successive flood so that work begun at one place is sometimes eventually left high and dry which i> so far so good hut at another point the danger is probably accentuated. Such a condition of affairs recurs at kittle Wanganui, whore there is much concern about the ravages of the river, and the menace it is to the surroundin settlement. There have been some titanic contests between the authorities and mi Lure to hold the hanks of the Little Wanganui. The authorities have (imaged to win from time to time, but the danger recurs again. It is so happening now. Also at Waitangi river, me stream lias continually to he taken in hand in the endeavour to control its Hood forces. There is no complete euro in either case, for the rush of water in Hood time combi nod with the rising river l>eds. present cond :|:

which defy efforts to control and direct the waters. It. is certainly impossible to confine them. The engineering problem which is presented appears to defy full curative treatment. At host the ravages of the river can only he faced as they occur for the reason that one flood often alters the condition of things. Difficult though the task is. it may not ho abandoned. Valuable settlement lands are at stake in IklUi localities. Settlers with homes embracing their all. are affected, and there is thus the call to do something to save the .situation. The authorities are a-liv-to the position. But it is a largo question, and in point of fact is prevailing all through the Dominion, bill it does not appear possible to adopt a comprehensive policy of action to cover all parts of New Zealand.