RIVER MENACE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1929, Page 3

RIVER MENACE

AT HOKITIKA GORGE. VISIT OF MR O’BRIEN, M.P. The situation created by river, erosion in the gorge of the Hokitika River above Koiterangi is to be the sub.ec; of representations to the Government. Yesterday, Mr James O’Brien, M.P., accompanied by Mr Sampson, Engineer of. the Public Works Department, Greymbuth, visited Koiterangi to inspect the erosion by the Hokitika River of land near the Hokitika Gorge. At Koiterangi they were met by a large number of settlers, members of the . Westland County Council, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr Morpeth ; and also by several interested Hokitika residents. ' Mr Wm Jamieson, on behalf of the farmers of the district, welcomed Ml- O’Brien and Mr Sampson .to Koiterangi.'

The party then made a careful examination' of the river, and. it was apparent: that unless prompt action is taker!, the Hokitika River it in grave danger of breaking through the settlement and connecting with the Kokatahi River, thereby cutting up several valuable farms in its course. Already some twenty-two acres of land belonging to Mr W. Ritchie has been washed aWay, the river having cut a channel six feet deep towards the lowlying, area of the Koiterangi farms. If the main stream of the Hokitika River should break through, to this channel, and ah old man flood should coine, nothing could save the settlement. .

Mr O’Brien expressed his concern at the gravity of the.situation. He staked tha); unless adequate protection were started at once, one of the best farthing settlements in 'Westland might > be- ruined. lie ‘ promised to bring the serious position under the notice of the Minister of Public Works when lie returned to Wellington two days later. .’_/"•

Mr Sampson -assured the . settlers that the report on the erosion would be expected... After the inspection, Mr B. Ward (chairman of the Westland. County Council);' Mr Thos O’Neill, "and Mr Jamieson thanked Mr O’Brien and Mr Sampson for , their visit, particularly thanking Mr O’Brien'for the prompt wav in which he had attended to their request.

Mr O’Brien in responding, stated that while if was nice to receive theirwas not called for, as he vYas the servant of the settlers, his job being to see that their needs were attended tp. He said he would make, the proper representations to the Minister at Wellington, and would convey , fhe Minisfen’s 'answer to Mi' Jamieson as soon as lie received it. Mr O’Brien and party were entertained at lunch by Mr and Mrs W. Jamieson. .-. .