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Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1931, Page 4

River protection work in the Koiterangi district is again considered urgent owing to the Hokitika river making further inroads. This is a matter which the local settlers who have their homesteads involved, should not treat lightly. It, is possible now to tano remedial measures with a good found, atioit to build on, If the position is left unattended, it is not going to cure itself but will grow worse gradually. Those concerned, should take a lesson from the experience elsewhere, and not wait for more material damage to be done before moving in the matter. A very fine settlement area is involved, and actually some of the best producing land in "Westland is menaced by the erosion if it is allowed to continue without let or hindrance. The settlers must be prepared to go someway in helping themselves. It is futile with the present condition of the country, to lean solely on the Government. The land which is jeopardised must bear some share of the cost of protecting it. That is only reasonable, and should be realised by those concerned. Naturally when valuable areas such as at Koiterangi, are faced with danger, it is an unwise policy to su down and wait for somtldng to happen. Unless steps are taken to check the river in the new course it is making, what will happen will be for the worse, and add to the cost. As to the expenditure in sight, the few months which have gone by in inactivity, have added fifty per cent to the estimated cost of the scheme to deal with the situation. And all the time the river is gaining in strength on the danger side with no effort to remedy matters. It will he too late after the damage ■is done for the settlers to appeal for sympathetic action, if they do not move betimes in advance when they foresee what is likely to happen. The best engineering advice in the country is at the disposal of those concerned, and the situation should he considered in all its gravity by those likely to be affected. The position calls in the first instair o for the selling up of river protection board by the settlers who will then be organised for active work under the uuidanco of the Public Works Department, and no doubt urtder those conditions Urn Government will assist with a liberal subsidy.