The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1931. AN IMPORTANT MATTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1931. AN IMPORTANT MATTER.

A matter really or considerable interest to the district as a whole, is the menace of the Hokitika river in its upper reaches, where it threatens mo Kojterungi settlement. After debauching* from the confined gorge, the water has considerable velocity and is icceived in a wide river bed. In this freedom the Hood waters make considerable play, am] as debris is brought down, new conditions arise which affect the flow of the river. The waters, also, in Hood time, rise abnormally. so that any definite coutiol at such a time is out of the question. But on such occasions the uncontrolled waters are free to moll where there is the least resistance, and the consequence is that with the tilling up of the river-bed by the debris brought down liv the floods, the river has begun to attack its north hank where there is the least natural resistance. On the southern side, the water for a considerable distance is hemmed in by a high wooded bill, and serious injury

in that quarter is not possible. But along the northern bank is the Koiterangi Settlement, which, as is well known, is a great asset to the district in particular, and the country at large. There the river is attacking the farm land now, and, 1 has made considerable inroads on some of the best of the laud. This menacing condition is not a new or lately developed feature. Actually it has been going on for years, but the steady inrpads of tlm river are now at a point where they create more concern. At the time of a large Hood—and such as would he possible now with the great store' of snow in the mountain valleys—the river on the north side overflows its banks, and passes over much of the settled country, Hooding the farm lands, scouring the roads, and generally menacing the whole settlement. In the past, some effort has been, made to endeavour to Control the flow of the river, but the effect of those attempts has disappeared, aiid something more substantial requires to be done. The Government was interested in the mutter, and prepared a proposal for river protection. Naturally to implant substantial works the cost was considerable, and the want of the money lias so far been the bar to attempting remedial measures. But this neglect is dangerous, and may lead to a more costly undertaking later, if not in the near future'. That has happened in the case of other settlements on the Coast, and the ultimate cost has been thousands, where at the outset, hundreds might have sufficed. Where substantial protection is attempted the cost is considerable; find, beyond the resources of settlers Tn these times however, there is some obligation on them to help, and if not with money at least with work. This is being done by those most direetlv affected, hut thc-e is lacking tli'e right community spirit if the settlement as a whole does ’not unite to assist, and with a Government vote, earn- out a work of such substance as will nss'st to secure the position. If attention is long neglected at the present stage the time may come sooner than some expect when the danger will he nearer their own holdings, and they will he subjected to loss of serious flooding: while their property will he depreciated in value. The matter is one largely for local co operative action, and united, no doubt the settlers would he able to secure assistance from the Government on which there is also an obligation to assist in saving some of Ihe mpst valuable hind in \Vestlaud' »; i t