Rivers Present Menace To Manawatu Farms

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 24, 29 January 1937, Page 2

Rivers Present Menace To Manawatu Farms

MR SEMPLE FORECASTS BIG PROTECTIVE WORKS

"We have read what has happened in America, and my study of the rivers of the Dominion makes me think that such a thing is not impossible in New Zealand. Ido not want to be called an Oriental fatalist or a scare-monger, but in my opinion the Manawatu river carries a certain terrible risk if it is not dealt wth methodically and scientifically. We have to tackle the problem of tens of thousands of acres being washed out to sea. It is definite that we cannot allow it to continue."

Thus spoke the Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) at Bulls, on Tuesday, when approached by a deputation representing several local bodies seeking flood protection measures for the lower Rangitikei river. Ho promised them that the specialist engineer instructed to make a special investigation of the Manawatu river would make a similar report on the Rangitikei river.

Accompanied by Messrs J. Hodgens, M.P., C. L. Hunter, M.P., and J. Woo/ (Engineer-in-Chie£ of the Public Works Department), the Minister was met by Messrs Ormond Wilson (M.P. for Rangitikei), K. W. Dalrymple (chairman of the Rangitikei County Council), S. A. R. Mair (engineer), H. H. Richardson (county clerk), W. E. Barber (chairman of the Manawatu County Council), J. H. Perrett (councillor), A. K. Drew (county clerk), H. V. Bond (engineer), and R. E. Stewart (chairman of the Tangimoana Domain Board). Welcoming tho party, Mr J. E. Walker (chairman of the Bulls Town Board) stated that a matter exercising their attention had been the problem of erosion by the Rangitikei River, which had swept away 50 acres of one property, and was seriously threatening tho Tangimoana settlement. It was hoped to secure national assistance in dealing with the situation. Mr Hunter similarly explained the position, saying the control of the Rangitikei River called for national attention.

Mr Dalrymple stated that it was a small area, but valuable land, that was being attacked by the river. The Government was now interested in Flock House, part of which property was suffering from erosion. It was asked that Government engineers formulate proposals for dealing with the problem. Two counties were involved, and special legislation might be necessary to establish unity of control. Land which would carry five or six sheep to the acre was being lost, and thick gorse, grass and lupin followed the river wherever it went. Mr Dalrymple suggested that tho first move made should be to plant trees, as the area was very bare of protective materials.

Settlers bn the Manawatu side, said Mr Barber, had sought the assistance of his council in dealing with the problem. He had made inspections and found-severe erosion; the river ran .swiftly. The cost of remedial measures could not be met out of the general funds of the county, or by raising loans over special areas. The Government township of Tangimoana had been severely dealt with by the river, and several houses had had to. be shifted out of danger. The County Council would give all the support possible to check the river, and he agreed that trees should first be planted. That was a big job. Tangimoana Menaced.

“The small community at Tangimoana are Crown tenants, and are powerless to look after themselves," stated Mr Stewart. “The river recently washed away eleven sections, two reserves and the width of the road line. It is encroaching at every tide, and requires attention urgently. We will be washed out to sea if they start a comprehensive scheme up its mouth to take away the overflow first."

Mr Hunter stated that with Mr A. R. Achesan (Public Works Department engineer, he had inspected the Tangimoana area a month ago, and had come to the conclusion that a cut at the lower end, where the river originally ran, would relieve the situation. The difficulty was that it ran through private property which would necessitate the payment of compensation. Failing action, the river would definitely wash out the whole Tangimoana township. It was Crown property, and there was a Government tree plantation there. Part of the Flock House property, now Crown land, was also endangered. Mr Semple Replies.

The Minister stated that it was his duty to visit these localities and familiarise himself personally with the requirements of the people. He had had

a look at river difficulties since he had been in office, and they were not confined to the Rangitikei district. It was a national problem which was becoming more acute every year, and observations made to date convinced him that in the first place a great deal of the trouble was man-created. There had been ruth: less destruction of timber on hillsides, without an afforestation policy for its replacement. Shingle slides had been carried down by floods to spread out in river flats. He considered that proper control of the rivers was so difficult and costly that it should never have been thrown overboard by the nationally responsible authorities to drainage boards and county councils. There should have been comprehensive schemes embarked upon after scientific investigation. It required study by specialised engineers for the formulation of a national programme. Every man had looked after his own little patch and emptied the water on to the other. The Minister did not blamo him. The law of economic determination governed his life. He had to protect himself individually if he was not protected in the collective sense. “We are quite conscious of our responsibility and of the difficulties ahead," continued the Minister in referring to river protection measures. He added that the engineer being stationed at Palmerston North to deal with tho Manawatu River could do the Rangitikei job as well. Meanwhile, in order to stay the trouble temporarily, they would consider measures, but they were not going to tip money into the ocean in piecemeal work which would

end in disaster. The man below had to be protected as well as the man above, and the sensible thing to do, in his judgment, was to start at tho bottom and give an outlet. Meanwhile, a survey would have to be made of the river. Probably the two county councils might contribute towards the cost of that. Other People’s Sins. Mr Dalrymple: The late Government mado a survey two years ago. Tho Minister: We are not going to rely on anybody else's survey and carry their sins. Mr Dalrymple: It was a Crown survey. The Minister: We are going to get a proper engineering survey, and blame nobody else. The responsibility for any blunders will bo our own. “River protection is everybody's liability," added the Minister. “It is a community responsibility. I saw yesterday (during an inspection of the Manawatu River) land being washed away, which was a terrible crime and a shame. We are not going to allow all this struggle to continue. "We want the co-operation and goodwill of the county councils," declared the Minister. “I do not care to what political school they belong. We have to forget that in proposals of that kind. It iB not in the picture, and we can wait until the political battles come round before we talk political philosophy. We will be in the picture then. Don't forget that. We want a complete plan to meet the needs not only of to-day, but the years to come." Mr Hunter expressed pleasure at the Minister's statement. He commented that the control of the Tiver had been a bone of contention for many years.