HOKITIKA RIVER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1931, Page 3

HOKITIKA RIVER

HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSION. QUESTION OF CHANGING CHANNEL. REPORT OF OVERSEER MILLNER. A proposal to divert the middle channel of the Hokitika River with a vjew to improving conditions generally was again brought before the members of the Hokitika Harbour Board yesterday afternoon. Mr E. W. Heenan said that, some time ago the Board had asked Mr Milluer, the County Overseer to draw up a report on the matter of turning the middle channel alongside the wharf. Mr Millner had prepared the report and it would be placed before members that afternoon.

Mr N. Warren said that the ship, Gael, had called at Hokitika last week with a full load, and , there was only 2ft bins, of water in the river'. It was desirable for the ship to get in and away again as soon as possible, but it had dragged all the way up. “The position is steadily getting worse” lie said. “The middle stream is making determined -efforts to come through. lucre must he an inexpensive way of effecting some change.” Mr Heenan said they could utilise the whole of the unemployed labour on the scheme set out by Mr Millner, and if the Board approved, a start could be made next Monday morning. Thu tides would be very suitable, and he thought they could get tile most ol the water down. In view of the sewerage position, they could approach the Borough Council and ask lor the loan of a man to take charge of tbe men. The river was falling over from the second channel against the Signal Station and there was a considerable depth at this point. He read Mr Mill tier’s report which was as follows:—“1 have inspected the northern channel between Livingstone Street and the Railway bridge. At the first point, on the northern bank below this street a piled groin was constructed'many years ago to divert the current, and to present erosion. While the groin remained intact, it also caused a scour which increased the volume of water in the northern channel, preventing the accumulation of shingle towards the wharf. Later, the piling decayed, and became less effective. Had the groin been reconstructed before being demolished, and four similar groins' eonstiacted at intervals along the northern bank, as Far as Sale Street, the present corn!it-

ion would not have been so proonunced .1 do not, however, propose that this should be done, as tbe stream appeal’s to have diverted too- far to the south. On the other hand, the diversion of the southern stream presents difficulties that would be costly to overcome, by piling across the channel, a very expensive method with slender chanoe of success owing to possible erosion. “I believe,” continued Mr Millner, “that there is a chance of success by constructing a longditudinal open piled groin. The.piled wall would require to be extended along the present depression from the upper end of the island, above the Railway bridge, downstream for at least three chains. The flood water would be inquired to do the work of shingle removal' after the groin is completed, and the only method is to create as much scour as possible to open and keep the channel dear of debris. The main cause of tho diversion of the river to the southern channel is the extensive erosion towards the northern bank from Livingstone Street for a mile or more upstream. Tho cost of putting tlm scheme into effect would be £425. Mr Heenan: In view of the suggestion contained in this report, I move that we ko up and inspect- the position this afternoon. On the. motion of Mr D. P. Stuart and the chairman (Mr M. Houston), a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Millnqr for his voluntary work in compiling the report. The Chairman: The question of finance is our main consideration. There is a matter of £425 which includes labour and material. * Air Warren considered the scheme so be quite a simple one, and also one which would not be so very expensive. ,He agreed that members should visit the locality straight away. Mr Heenan: You will then be able to see exactly where the river is trying to come through. There are AO unemployed men to choose from. Mr J. J. Mclntosh: \Vill it be continuous work?—Yes. Mr Mctntisli: It would be no good if the men were going to be employed only two or three days a week. The Chairman read the report previously submitted by the District Engineer (Mr J. Johnston) upon the same manner. In this report Mr Johnston stated, inter alia' “It is considered unlikely that the cost would lie less than £BSO. This expenditure is hardly warranted,' particularly when there is nothing to indicate that the natural agencies whrffh have caused the blockage have been in any way reduced, and that consequently a further deposition of shingle, in the cut could be anticipated during floods. . . For tbe present I do not see any solution io the problem facing the Board without considerable expenditure, but I recommend that a> detailed survey be made from the entrance up to the Kauieri bridge ' So long as the river channel is uncontrolled it would appear that no improvement in the presents position is likely to occur. Apart from berthage and town discharge into/the wharf channel, portions of the training walls are being adversely affected by the condition of the prevailing flow. 'Hie Chairman: According to this second report there are 17.000 cubic yards to be excavated. Tf we employ unemployed men there will not be very much expense, only that of insurance,

Mr Warren: If the channel shoals up entirely, it will cut out shipping altogether. Mr Hoenan : Yes. Tf we had a good old-time flood, she would have come through herself. The meeting then adjourned to enable members to inspect the river.

THE BOARDS DECISION. The Board after making an inspection of the river bed. decided to apply to the Unemployment Board with a request that men be put on to cut a gutter on the- north channel with a view to changing the present course of the river.