OHAKEA PROTECTIVE WORKS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8946, 11 October 1907, Page 3

OHAKEA PROTECTIVE WORKS.

Owing to recent damage to the river bank protective works opposite Ohakea Special Settlement, near Sanson, the Mauawatu County Council lias found it necessary to, again appeal to Government in the interest of the Settlers for a further grant in order to repair the damage. In order that Mr John Stevens, member for the district, may have all the facts on the matter to lay before the Government, Mr J. G Wilson, chairman of the Council, has forwarded to him a full aud clear statement of the case. After pointing out what has been done in the past Mr Wilson says:—“The last flood has done serious damage to the last portion and it will take from £IOO to £l5O or perhaps £2OO to now complete the work. But it ought to bo done at once, because the willows which are protection will take root better-now than later on. The last loan of £IOO was secured on the laud of two settlers, Messrs Vile aiid Simpson. It is necessary to have two ratepayers, or a loan cannot he raised. Mr oimpson, who adjoins Mr Vile, refuses to have a uy more money secured on his property. If Mr Vile cannot get anyone to help him in the way ,of joining him as security (aud it must he a continuous arrear) the Council cannot borrow auy money. To properly do tho work there should he considerable amount of money available ; if not, the trouble aud time of planting it are wasted, aud Government, making inquiries, then gingerly giving a few pounds, all means greater cost. There is, I understand, a considerable balance in baud after interest is paid on the purchase money of the Ohakea Estate. The work is the key to the position, aud if not held will eventually wash the whole flat away. I cau say this after living on the river 34 years, crossing it innumerable times, and fighting it under similar conditions for years, and. yet I cau only say I have been partially successful; for there is now a hole in the protective work on my son’s land I look after for him which will cost £IOO to replace. The £4O last given by Government will bo spent iu'a few days; there yet remains the piece to do up which went last flood. It that is allowed to remain, the whole £SOO already spent will he washed awav in a few floods. The flood caught Ins when the willows had not grown. If once we can get the willows up they will hold the bank against auy flood, provided the river does uot get above them. I suggest if_Mr Vile cannot get a neighbour to joiu and if Government will not find any money further than they have done, to save the situation the Government enter iuto an agreement with their tenant,Mr Vile, and find the money for the Council to complete the work and charge him 4 per cent ou the money. The present method of the Council which has no other object than to help the settler aud the Lands Department, having to apueal time after time for money to the Minister is most unsatisfactory, aud were it not my desire to help the settlors, I would take no further steps but let the laud go aud the damage tofthe extent of say 200 acres go.‘ worth’£2o to £25 an aero, _ We shall probably be told an Engineer will inspect; that will take perhaps three weeks. By and by wo will be told £SO or some such sum .V. ,e giveu as a final payment as if it WftS a favour to us. Meanwhile, the whole of the men accustomed to the work have been disbauded, aud time is wasted getting others who understand tho work, and if a flood comes it washes it away further crates because they are exposed. The only thing is to go on with the work, plant willows, and once you cau get them up they Will do the protective work ; but this requires money aud not doles. Then when tho river takes a turn follow it out iu tho silt with willows planted lotv down until you net a belt of willows wide enough to resist the flow of a flood. If there is silt it will, if uo accident happens, probably secure it. I have thought it only proper to put in writing the whole situation aud to remind you of the facts from the beginning to show how nusatisfactorygand wasteful tho present expenditure is by this process. If we are to spend the money it will, I know, he spent with efficiency and economy uot one penny more than is needful. If the department doubt this wo shall be glad to be relieved of the duty of spending the money. I may add that the protective works ou tho other side. 20 chains long, above the bridge, cost about £(>00, £4OO of this was found hy the Government because the end of the bridge was threatened. Meanwhile, the wil.ows there have taken well and are almost safe as human work cau make them. Mr Thoms, who is thoroughly up in the work, is following the river out wherever there is silt and will, if no accident happens, probably secure it. Our work is about 30 chains long, and lias so far cost £SOO. It is a 30b we should have had £IOOO before we started ou it.