GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2327, 10 March 1892, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine County Council was held yesterday. Present —Messrs W. Balfour (chairman), M. Quinn, J. M. Barker, J. Talbot, and ■ R. Mackay. Mr Howell sent an apology on the ground of ill-health. The council’s engineers, Messrs Meason and Marchant, submitted a long report on the overflow of the Tengawai river above Pleasant Point. In the course of it .they reported:—“ On Mr Fielding’s land on the southern bank, commences a depression, which three chains further south developes into a well-defined channel, which lower down forms the Point creek.. Three chains distant from the river-bed this channel is actually two or three feet below the present water level in the Tengawai river immediately opposite to it. The intervening land being practically on the same level as that of the river bed, there is really no obstruction whatever to the free flow of the Tengawai river into the Point creek. Should such an overflow occur in sufficient body during a flood to commence scouring the creek channel, we look for immense destruction to the agricultural lands from this place downwards; that many houses in the Point t ownship will be swept away, and possibly many lives lost. The cause of the danger is the continual raising of the bed of the river along this part by accumulations of shingle, which have at last raised the river bed to practically the same level as the adjoining lands. About one and a-half miles below Mr Fielding’s the lowest side of the riverbed is again on its nothem bank, with weU defined channels leading over to Mr Howell’s cliffs. We are of opinion that the only remedy that can be successfully employed is to make an artificial bank to the river on its southern side by throwing up an embankment and protecting _ this against damage by an iron protective fence and willow plantation. The length of this class of work required would be about 1\ miles, and we do not think any less would be sufficient. ; (The protective works at the head of the Waitohi race were cited to as an example of the succes ot this class of work.) We estimate the cost of such works as described above at from £8 to £9 per chain or say about £7OO per mile. The total cost therefore of the whole length required would be from £IOOO to £llOO. About 20 chains of the above length is an urgent necessity, and we think this length should be built with Ihe greatest possible haste. The balance could be undertaken more deliberately, when the river district has been duly constituted, but we look on the whole length as an absolute necessity. We are of opinion that the whole of the river-bed from the Cave to the Main South Road should be examined andreported on, we also believe, and it is not the first time we have drawn attention to it, that serious damage may one day be done to the rich lands of Seadown and those above it by the overflow of the Opihi river near Kerrytown. Meason & Marchant, County Engineers” Mr White’s opinion on the council’s ' powers was read. —The council had full power to extend their funds in protecting private property from damage by rivers. He also stated the steps to be taken to form a river board. Messrs Butler and Acton waited on the council as a deputation from Pleasant Point to request assistance. Mr Mackay moved and Mr Balfour seconded—“ That this council grant the sum of £IOO towards the protection of the Point township against the threatened damage by the Tengawai river.” Mr Talbot moved and Mr Quinn seconded as an amendment—“ That the council are of opinion that the danger threatened to property by the Tengawai river, Pleasant Point, would be best dealt with by a local river board, but should those affected desire the coencil to undertake the duties of a river board for them, the council will favourably consider the same when the requisite steps are taken by the settlers. The council regret that, in view of the probability of being called upon to assist in other cases of similar danger to property in various parts

of the country, it cannot see its way to 1 y Contribute any of its funds.” ' The amendment was carried by three to two.