WESTLAND WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1932, Page 2

WESTLAND WORKS

MR COATES AND MR O’BRIEN

REPLY TO REPRESENTATIONS

Air J. O’Brien, AI.P., has received the following -replies to representations made by him to the Alinister of Public Works. 1" the case cf the AVaitangi River erosion, Air O’Brien has nijide further representations to the Alinister, urging that the present protection works be extended:-'—

Dear Si", in reference to the interview which you had with me on the 28th ultimo, regarding the improvement of the Okariti,) Harbour, I have to advise you thatrj; have looked into this matter, and J find that very fill investigations were made and a report prepared in 1928. It was considered at that time that the cost of constructing at Okarito a harhour adequate to cope with the timber traffic would be more expensive than the then condition of the timber trade warranted. I would point out that at that time there were 82 mills operating in Westland with a cutting capacity of 120 million board loot, but at no time even when markets were plentiful have they ever cut more than 74 million board feet, so that -it would appear that even at that time a greater quantity of accessible timber was available than the market could absorb.

Under those circumstances it seined undesirable to go to lienvy expense in order t ( > open up further areas. Since that date the timber industry has become almost stagnant, and at flic present moment tln’re is less justification for orening np Okarito than there was before.

I do not think the present is a suitable time to consider the construction of further harbours on the West Coast, as even the main ports. Westport and Greymouth, are exnorivncing difficulty in oaiivyhig on their ordinary functions. Tour fa‘tli idly. J. G. Coates. Alinister of Public Works.

Jackson’s Bay to Okiru. Dear Sir, In reference to the interview which you had with me on the 28th ultimo concerning the construction of the road from Jackson’s Bay to Okuru. South Westland, T have looked into the matter, and "egret that I cannot- see niy way to put this work in

hand. A thorough investigation of the possibilities of this ’route and the cost of constructing the road was made some years ago, and it was estimated it would cost in the vicinity of £90,000.

The prospects of anything resembling close settlement in this area are remote, and T am atVaid that the permanent benefits received from such a large expenditure in this locality would not he commensurate with the cost. Yours faithfully. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works.

Waitangi River Erosion. Dear Mr O’Hricn, I have looked into the questions which you brought up a t your interview with me on the 28th ultimo, regarding the Waitangi River erosion, and 1 find that the problem is a difficult one A thorough inspection of the river and the properties affected lias been made, but the estimated cost of any comprehensive scheme of construction is much greater than the total value of the land involved. This river, like the great majority of 'the rivers in South Westland, is subieef to severe flooding, and owing to the stern grade great alterations in the channel took place during the floods, so that any scheme o f protection designed to give an adequate safe, guard would red lire to he practically continuous from the bridge to the lower end of the properties affected. Even 1 hough a small expenditure might turn the watr,- away from the locality at ’present threatened, it would only mean j transferring the menace to another por- ! tion. and then having to tackle the problem anew. This process would probably have to be repeated until the ' whole bank was completed, so that in entering upon any expenditure here, the eventual problem the Government would have to face would lie. as T stnt- . ed above, continuous throughout the , affected area , This class of work is not verv suit- ( able for the absorption of unemployed ( labour as a large amount of materia! , has to be provided and vehicles hired, j and the Unemployment- Hoard is reluctant to enter upon schemes unless the money beitm provided can bo absorbed almost- wholly in labour. The present condition of tie Public Works Fund does not eimh'o mo to make any contribution towards this work. and. therefore. I regret that I cannot see mv wav t.n do apvtlu'ng .-,f | present. Yours faithfully. J. 0. Coates