MOTUEKA RIVER ENCROACHMENT.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 93, 4 July 1902, Page 3

MOTUEKA RIVER ENCROACHMENT.

A special meeting of the Motueka Borough Council was-held on Wednesday eveqrhg to take into consideration the damage done to the Whakarewa Estate by the last flood and the best means of protecting the Borough properties. Present : His Worship the Mayor, (Mr J. S. Wratt), Crs Ryder, Knapp, Edwards, Thorp. Trewavas and Grooby. Crs Simpson and Moffatt-were unable to be present through illness. Cr Edwards, as one of the conveners of the meeting, refer red to the recent encroachment as a serious matter, as theviver was now setting fair into the breach. After visiting the place and inspecting, the damage done he (the speaker) as agent for the Whakarewa Trust; at once wrote to the Bishop of Nelson, who replied advising him to repair the breach without delay at the same time asking him if he did not think the other bodies interested would help. He censidered it his duty as the Trust’s agent, to call the Council/ together and explain the nature of the' damage. Mr McKenzie had accompanied him on his visit to the river/ and was of the same opinion as himself! as to the necessity of proceeding withJ the work ; also that sooner or later further damage would be done to the bank if not protected. At the point where the bank had been undermined there was a depth of about thirty feet of water. He also thought it would be advisable to apply to the Government for a grant of money to make the work substantial aird to protect the town. They should also applj to the Native Trust for assistance, as they were indirectly interested. Or Edwards described what he proposed doing in jjjthe way of temporary protection ; it would be a difficult job and would cost from £6O to L7O.

His W oiship the Mayor said he had that day visited the spot aud inspected the breach. Now that the river was down he did not think the damage so serious as when the river was in flood. He estimated it would take LSO to repair the damage. ' Cr Edwards referred to the lately erected protective works at Clover’s overflow ; if the groins had not been placed there the flood would have been most disastrous to the residents of the Borough. He thought the Council should approach the Government and the Native Trust for help. Cr Thorp was strongly of opinion the Whakarewa Trust should not bear the whole of the cost of the repairs to the river bank. T 1 e Council should contribute towards a work which affects the whole of the property in the district, and if possible get a grant from the Government.

A general discussion took place on the question of river conservation and it was generally agreed it would be.advisable bo approach the Government fora grant to protect the liver banks and do other necessary work, such as the removal of willows from the centre of the river, etc. Ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Thorp, seconded by Cr Knapp, That the Council apply to the Government for a grant of money for river protection ; the request to UfT forwarded through the member for the district, Mr R. McKenzie. Cr Trewavas moved, seconded by Cr Grooby and carried, That the position of affairs be explained to the Public Trustee, agent for the Native reserves and that a grant of £25 be asked for. This concluded the business. It may be mentioned in connection with the above that Mr Edwards, as agent for the Whakarewa Estate, will at once 'temporarily protect the bank

at the place where the late breach was made. Later on it is proposed, with the assistance of the and the Trust interested, to construct a groin at a point higher up the river.