Those Willows.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 51, 11 October 1907, Page 3

Those Willows.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l notice from time to time letters and comments on the growth of willows in the Mangapu river, and the obstruction caused to road and railway traffic during flood time. I also understand that £2OO has been voted by Parliament towards destroying the willows. I Of course everyone knows that it will take nearer £2OOO to remove the evil, and what I wish to take the liberty of pointing out through the medium of your much-read paper is the short-sighted method adopted by the Government. About every six months a flood occurs disorganising railway traffic and damaging the line. This blocks two passenger trains, and one goods train, which must mean a considerable cost to the country ; and then there is the cost of a ballast train to run men and material to the wash-out. Fiftypounds would be a most modest estimate to put down the cost of repairs and loss to the Railway Department through their trains being stopped, and this happens about twice a year which means a loss of £IOO per annum, and there is only £2OO voted to remedy such an evil. It will take about ten years to eradicate the willows expending at the rate of £2OO per annum, and during that time the country will have expended about £IOOO in repairing the line and the up-keep of blocked up trains, to say nothing of the inconvenience to the public and the disgrace to the country in having an unbusinesslike manoeuvre like the above on a Main Trunk line of railway.—l am, etc., COMMERCIAL.