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Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1928, Page 2

It is not surprising to find that tip question of river erosion recurs here. At the meeting of the County Council last week, the subject cropjjed up again, but local bodies are as helpless as ever financially to grapple \, ith the proposition. On this occasion the Council turned again to the Government urging that a national policy should lie promulgated to cope with the matter. It is of course a national question, for the reason that the erosion which is taking place is caused by an net of nature itself, and really beyond the control of human powers. Probably the West Coast more than any other part of the Dominion, is subject to this wearing down process—and

that from natural causes. The distance between the seaboard and the mountains is very short. The fall ho-

tween the two points is considerable Melting snow in the high country, or rain hearing clouds breaking on the hillsides, creates an abnormal water supply, which makes its way to mother ocean very speedily. That passage is usually swift and turbulent, and the rivers and larger streams often overflowing their banks, must do damage more or less serious at times. On other occasions considerable debris is brought down from the high country, and this brings spoil and timber which affects the channels he streams. The upshot is serious

damage invariably. How to cope with nature when in such throes is the difficulty. The cause is impossible to restrain, or oven to check. The effect is then for all to see, and it is often considerable. A West Coast river In angry Hood mood is a problem to control. and little more can he done than watch the effect of its rampage. What engineers can devise within reasonable cost is done invariably, but when the forces of nature are bent on working their will, floods arc not any respecters of localities. London, with nil its wealth, and export advice at hand, is not immune from a devastating flood, any more than the fabulously rich territory of the United .States, The problem is just too great for anything human when nature assumes the mood. What can lie l done in New Zealand to ■ope- with the situation can be merely fragmentary. It is not possible to devise a universal scheme. Each ease requires to be dealt with on its merits, for all have differing phases. Here in Westland where the conditions render the locality prone to flooding periods. the best course is to temporize with the situation. As damage is threatened meet if as well as possible with precautionary measures for the future. There is not any royal way of stopping the waters doing damage when in flood. The stiteli-in-lime policy is flic best palliative so far as ultimate results are concerned, and with a limited exchequer that appeals to be the only safe and sound course to pursue.