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Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1928, Page 4

I'uk position ol affairs al Intcr-AYan gnnui where the llarihari Settlement is threatened by serious flooding from the Little Wanganui river, is evidently a very serious one. The residents are agreed as to the menace if the river overflows unduly in Hood time. The waters will find is way over the Flat mainly through creek beds, but several thousand of acres would be involved oforo the water would lie clear of the .icftlement land. ! ncidenlaliy those .food waters would also ravage the roads and bridges encountered, so that I here would be a serious interruption to traflie. The protection works now proposed are designed, wo understand, to divert the river to its normal course. Hut it is recognised this is mil easy ol an accomplishment. Changes I conditions resulting from the br.dging ml the river have so affected the general situation that fpiite an engineering problem is presented When the bridge was erected the main stream was conlined'to a considerable degree to afford a .suitable site. The effect of til is lias i.een to consolidate the force of the waters when passing under the bridge, and as a result the stream increases in velocity. This force continues until again well clear of the bridge, and then debris, etc. carried by the stream spreads ilself and forms fresh banks. Die banks in turn lead to further branches of the stream, and there the liHieulties of protection begin. The banks have been making up till the centre is higher than the river hank on the north side with the result that Hood waters thru into the lower parts, and the erosion begins. The menace at Little Wanganui lias been in evidence for some time past, but was not grappled with. Now a proposition of considerable magnitude presents itself. A neighbouring settler not imme'uTfitoly affected by the flooding, feels that his property will hvter bo jeopardised by the proposed works pushing the stream more his way. Self-preservation prompts him to object to the works, and at the moment matters are at a standstill. But the danger is there, very present in flood time, and something requires to be done. 'Die settler apparently must lie placated either by •ompensatioii or by purchasing his. holdings. Probably if the property were acquired under the Public Works .id. the cost would not be excessive, but the difficulty is in finding the money either for purchase or compensation. The Biver Board has a limit of rating as also a limit of valuation, and the settlers would be overburdened if they were compelled to finance the whole cost. It appears that the Government should be invited and urged to come to the rescue, and that quickie. A very fine settlement stands in jeopardy, and what is to ho done in the way of protection should he doin' quickly, if the land is to he saved from the Hoods to come. A very strong appeal should he made to the authorities to come to the rescue. What is necessary could be done much more cheaply now Ilian later when the damage is done or being done.. It should lie wise to anticipate the probable course of events with as little delav as possible, and the hitrlier authorities such as the Al mister of Public Works and Lands should he approached without loss of time.