THE MANGAHAO RIVER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3197, 25 May 1909, Page 7

THE MANGAHAO RIVER.

ALTERING ITS COURSE. DEPUTATION TO HON. MR HOGG. The Mariam bridge over the Mangahao river is in danger of being left high and dry, as the river shows unmistakable signs of changing its course. If this happens it will be a serious matter for the settlers, who will be unable to cross with their produce and stores unless' another bridge over the new course is erected. In order to bring the matter under the notice of the Government, a deputation consisting of Messrs T. Hodgins, Chairman of the Pahiatua County Council, and Messrs R. Smith. T. Fohy, S. H. Baggarley, H. Cornelius, A. Judd, and W. Martin waited upon the Minister for P.oads and Bridges (Hon. A. W. Hogg) at his office on Friday last, says the "New Zealand Times." The deputation was introduced by Mr R. B. Ross, M.P. Mr Hodgins said there was no danger of the bridge being effected

by the stream, but there was very

I chance of it being left high and dry i through the river altering its course. \ Every time there was a fresh in the river the position became more serious. He asked that a thoroughly competent engineer should be sent to the river with a view to supplying the Government with a report; and

then the Government would be asked to give a grant in aid of any work which would have to be carried out.

The county engineer who had made

an inspection, had stated that it would be a fairly costly matter to

stop further encroachment of the river and the erosion of its banks. They had come to the Government because their financial position was not good at present. Mr Smith, a member of the County

Council, regretted that a suspension bridge had not been built instead of the present structure,, a suggestion to that effect having been made before the work was put in hands in 1905. The Government grant to wards the erection of the bridge had been £I6OO. Something should certainly be done to prevent the river taking a short cut and leaving the bridge high and dry. Mr Baggarley complained that the encroachment of the river was damaging his land. He would be quite willing to give a <-hain of his property to enable the Government to carry out work to prevtnt the river chanigng its course. He had spent £IOO himself in protective works, but had not had sufficient money at his command to carry out a more extensive scheme. In reply, Mr Hogg said there was hardly a shingie river in the Wairarapa or Forty Mile Bush districts which had not caused trouble to th2 settlers. Acres and acres of good soil, some worth £4O and £SO per acre, had been washed away from time'to time. Although considerable sums of money had been expended in protective works, the difficulty still remained. "I am not in the position to tie the hands of the Government," he, concluded, "but I will do my best in obtaining the services or the most competent engineer we can get to inquire into the matter and, supply a report. If W3 could get ah engineer who has had experience of such rivers it would be an immense advantage."