The Awaimri Bridge.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 214, 14 August 1883, Page 2

The Awaimri Bridge.

SUGGESTED PROTECTIVE WORKS. [Communicated |. ! The.Awahuri Bridge.ia a constant source of trouble and expense to the County, and likely to be so as long as the money is expended m the .present manner, on securing an aproach which will disappear the next small flood we have. As ong.as the present S sweep of the river carries the water against Mr Fraser's section, there is no knowing when and where the continual, slipping of the bank will stop; and it is a downright waste of money to attempt to secure a bank of that nature by running d.wn poles and saplings and tying fascines to the -n. The only thing that can save Mr Eraser's house/ the ap« proach to' the bridge and Mr McDonald's water-works is togi^e the water a straight run by cutting through the S, Some such plan bas also been mooted by " powers that be," bat the idea is to dig them* sclvs through the neck. A far baiter plan would be to erect a small breakwater opposite wtiere the river- diversion is contemplated, and. throw the course ot the river against the neck of land mentioned above. If they start digging the new course of the river, a small flood might come and fill it again before any. thing good was effected, and the expenditure would be just as foolish as the present one. And even if they manage to come through with their amull trench, it is v ry douut/ul it that will be s.ffi cient to change the main course of the river. It is altogether a matter which is ot great importance, and needy immediate action. With the melting ; ot the immense masses of enow m the northern ranges, a big flood is bouud bu come sooner or later. The Maoris artpredicting otve eyen as soon as the 18tL<i iust. ; and Mr Fraser is living m n con srant dread <>f loosing iho whole of his property, and perhaps h'"s life.