PETERSON ROAD AGAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1931, Page 3

PETERSON ROAD AGAIN

FURTHER. DISCUSSED. At the meeting of the Westland County Council yesterday the prosecution of Petersen load again came up for consideration due to further

’correspondence on the matter, and to developments arising from late flood damage in the locality of the proposed road up. The following letter from the District Engineer was read: Dear Sir.—l have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th ultimo re the front route road through Mr Mclntosh’s property. After the exceptionally heavy rainfall and floods on the 27th and 28th ultimo, 1 went over the legal road line through Mr Mclntosh’s section, and also over the proposed front route deviation, to study the effects of the flooding. Thereafter I proceeded up | the river ") examine the extent of river frontage or hank, across which the Little Wanganui river had overflowed. The position of this—downstream 'from the end of the roteetive works—is shown on the supplied blue print. In view of the recent development with regard to the main river flow, and of the flooding that has occurred through sections 2252, 2248, 2829, and also of the front route proposed for

Petersen s road, I am of the opinion that this route (on which the construction cost would now have to he very much increased to provide for any degree of permanency) should not he adopted , and that the Tull consideration of the Council should , now be given to the eoiitsruetion of the legal road.

it may be contended that the extension of the present protective works over the length now being attacked by the river will ultimately obviate irurtMer flooding in relation to the Front route on Petersen’s road, but there is no guarantee that the river will in the inure again swing to its old channel along the frontage of sections 2248, 2829, and 2830. 1 might mention that when Mr McIntosh met the Councillors and others on the ground, I advised him that 1 would not consent to the legal road line being altered to a position nearer the river hank.

Your intention that the legal roaa line was to lie reserved and that the construction of the front line route would he free of cost to the Government and your Council, and also that the offer of Mr Mclntosh was to lie further considered by vour Council was acnowledged in my memo, of December 15th, in which I expressed the opinion that the proposed agreement should be satisfactory.

Having regard to recent developments, however, I am sure that the members of your Council will agree with me in considering that the expenditure df a large sum by Mr Mclntosh on a road which may ultimately have to be abandoned or maintained by the Council at a heavy cost, does not appear to be warranted, particularly in view of the strong representations made by the Farmers’ Union for adherence the the legal line. In addition to receiving the above letter, correspondence was read from the Farmers Union, Harihari, and also from Overseer Millner, who considered it unwise to proceed with the front line road in view of the flood menace. A general letter from the District Engineer (quoted elsewhere) in regard to the flood damage was read also, and the correspondence was received. It was decided to deal with the Petersen road route in tile first instance.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Overseer Millner was asked to express his views. He said there was a danger of the front road being destroyed if the river bank was not protected. It would cost £6OO to £7OO to carry out the protection work. There was also the possibility of erosion below where the new protection would finish. Two existing bridges had not earned the water from the river overflow, and the bridge jon the iliird crossing would require to he enlarged for the freer flow of flood water, adding to the cost. Mr J. J. Mclntosh, settler, who was present asked to he heard in reply to Mr Milner. He said the creek complained of was in the first instance from a spring. Originally it had not any connection with the river or the overflow. But erosion caused by the Little Wanganui had brought the river .into the creek in flood time. The. prei sent difficulty was caused by this foreign flood water. The proposed road would be in no worse position than other roads in the locality at times of flooding. Protection had stopped the overflow into Harihari settlement, hut the danger had been shifted and the danger point was now threatening his land and neighbours, together with Petersen road. What had resulted from the upstream work was what lie had expected—the land held by himself and other below would be affected. He had expressed that opinion when the first protection work of pile driVen groins was being attempted. Mr Murdoch said it seemed to him, it the protection were put in matters would be back to normal. Is Mr McIntosh prepared to go on with the agreement?

Mr Mclntosh, “Yes, if my land is protected like the settlers higher up.’’ Mr Jeffries thought the engineer’s attitude was somewhat contradictory. Mr Mclntosh’s position was not really changed. He could go on now if he liked, but it would be better to defer any action till the protection were put in. Really, in all the circumstances, the back route which Mr McIntosh had first offered to construct

would be the safest of all. He would move that in dill'erence to the latest, reports from the District Engineer on the Little Wanganui river erosion and its 'threatening attack on Petersen load deviation and adjoining (properties, the matter of the reading of section 2248 be deferred until the protection works at Little Wanganui are completed, to enable the Council to see the results of such protected works. Air Houston seconded the motion.

: Mr Donovan could not support the motion. It might mean deferring the construction of the road indefinitely, j Air Ward asked for one point to be ! cleared up. If the road had been constructed, would it have been destroyed jbv the late flood ? Air Mclntosh nati urall.v wanted to see the road line safe before building the road. The position was very complicated. The matter would be shelved indefiniteyl if Mr Mclntosh was not prepared to go on. Air Jeffries agreed to make his motion apply definitely to the deviation route. Air Ward then asked if Afr Mclntosh would go on. Mr ALJntosh thought the question unfair in the face of the present danger. If the position were protected he was prepared to go on with the road construction.

Mr Ward asked if the matter could be more definitely expressed. Mr Mclntosh replied the road would be'in three months after the protection is completed. Mr Ward next enquired if protection would be carried out by the Public Works Department.

I J'ne Chairman — “Not in three months.” | Mr Jeffries—“We might defer the matter for 12 months.” The Chairman and Air Donovan—- “ That will never do.” Air Ward said the position was now clarified, he would support Air McIntosh. Air Chesterman agreed it would be uinvise to go on with the work at present on either line. The Chairman—“ Why not on the legal line.” Air Chesterman—“Don’t interrupt. One fool at a time.” (laughter) Air chesterman continuing said if the front line were in danger, the legal line was also in danger till protection work was put in. They should wait for the protection.

Air Alurdoch said lie was not going to give a silent vote. He would .support tlie motion. Circumstances had arisen which changed the position, and cal Led tor time,. There were 'weaknesses revealed now which did not exist previously. The Public Works Department was not blocked from going on with the legalised route. The time for Afr AI cT n tosh was being extended, and protection was certainly necessary for the farms as well as the road. The Council wisely had not given up its rights.

The Chairman said if the protection were put in there was nothing to stop the river coming round the end again and attack the farm lands of Alessrs AlcTntosh and Wall. The work of protection was designed over the proclaimed area. The legal road line had been in use during the period of the late flood when the front line could not be used. He would like the Councillors to visit and inspect the position as it was to-da.v. He favoured voting £IOO for temporary protection wora. At tin’s stage the motion moved by Afr Jeffries was put to the meeting and carried on the voices.

The Council then proceeded to other business.