WAIPOUA RIVER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2378, 20 August 1886, Page 2

WAIPOUA RIVER.

A sPECJAt meeting of the Council was held last night. Present.—The Mayor, and Ors Perry, Chamberlain, Mason, Gappor, Hessey, Heron, Muir, ■ Oullen and Williams. The object of the meeting was to consider and deal with the question Of the protection of the town from, the encroachment of the "Waipoua River, It. was decided, to allow a greater freedom of discussion, that the Council should resolve itself into a Committee as a whole.

The Town Clerk road the following report from the County Engineer, Mr 0, E. Bremner.

Acceding to the request of your Coun- ! oil, I havo investigated tho scheme of , your Works Committee for dealing with ', tho diversion of the Waipoua river in the northern boundaries of the Borough; 1 must confess that it appears to me that the position your Council desires mo to accept is rather an anomalous ono, inas- , much as I, having already furnished it , with proposals for dealing with the matter, (which, for sound reasons no doubt, your Works Committee havo thought advisable to reject), am now called upon to roport upon a rival scheme emanating from the •body who condemned my ownrecommen- : dations, Before proceeding to devise any Bcheme of works, I endeavoured to ascertain from the Clerk to'your Council the objoofc which was sought to be attained by their execution, Haying obtained this information, I carefully examined the ground, made the necessary survey, and drew out tho proposals which are now in the possession of your Council.' The object o( my design was to proteofc the Borough boundaries from the destructive action of the river when in flood, andiu doing this, to provide an ample capacity for its storm waters during periods of heavy rain fall. The proposals of your Committee do not commend themselves to me as calculated to meet the most urgent requirements of the case, Further, having more fully entered into the subject of cost of tho works since my report of 27th July, I am of opinion that the outlay attendant on their execution will considerably exceed the amount of the lowest offer for the work, for which tenders were invited and dealt with by your Council. The proposal of your Committee to discharge the river by its old course through Mr Adam's property, presents the following heads for consideration:—Firstly, Is the channel into Which it is suggested to force it, of sufficient capacity to carry the waters during heavy flood. Secondly, Is it possible to confine the river absolutely within this ohannel, except by the construction of an artificial bank on the south .'of it, and thirdly, If the bed is obstructed by the erection of an artificial bank can the river be prevonted from breaking across the low ground to tho west and abandoning the course in which, the works were supposed to retain it. In my opinion, under the altered nature of the floods in this river during the past fow years, the channel referred to is only adequate to provide for a small portion of its flood waters, This being tho caso, the overflow will continue its disastrous effects upon the boundaries of the Borough as hitherto, and to endeavor to interoept this by throwing a long, groin or artificial bank jnto the bed of tho;river to confine it, will cause it to bank back and overflow through the low land to the woat, to the moreimmiennt dancer of the Borough property. Again, the direction and action of the altered course of the river above the proposed point of diversion is suoh with respect to the bearing of the old channel into which it is suggested .to' turn it, that this ohannel will eilt up so long as any volume of water is allowed to escape in any other direction. I was surprised to observe Cr Gapper's remarkthat "it was agreed on all hands that the best plan wonld bo to open up the old channel," that is presuming myself to be inoluded among "allhands," as I purposely refrained from expressing any opinion as to the merits of the scheme; In conclusion, I think 1 havo advanced sufficient reasons against the practicability of the scheme, and taking these into consideration, together with its comparatively large cost, in my opinion your Council would not be justified in adopting it, unless it could be shown that no other iB practicable, I have, etc., | ■ O. E. Bbemner. P.S.—Attached please find report of July 27th, referred to above. I have examined that portion of the Waipoua River bed where your Council propose a diversion of tho stream, and have the honor to report to you upon the works whioh I understand it is oontem-'

plated to .'-undertake. The 'position <k upon'- the^attached' plan represents-the' point of division, and the channel through which it is proposed, to direct the water is marked by red aoroas, pointing in- the" line of flow of the waters I am advised; that'the scheme embrapes,the:remoVal r Df all obstructions such as drift timber, and othCT rubbish .deposits in its. course, and cutting; a race or channel through' the shingle shoal formed across the entrance to the north.. On the western bank opposite the entrance, as shown on the plan, a groin is to-': so as .to concentrate' and direct the flow of water into the channel. lamof opinion that the result of the proposals should they be successful, are calculated to relieve tho Borough from the present detrimental action of the river on its boundaries, and are, I should imagine, capable uf execution at an equal cost to the' proposals which I suggested in my report of June 6th 1886. As to tho actual damage which may be sustained by private property by the executiinof the proposod works it is impossible to foresee the effects of a violent flood, upon the adjacent properties, and banks of "the river, but I am of opinion that the diver- ' sion of the river as proposed, is calculated to do less harm than will result by allowing it to remain in the course in which it is now flowing. ' . ' ,' lam&c, C.E. Beiwnbr. The Mayor, said the report last read should havo been before them at thoir previous meeting, instead of that it was in the hands of the-Resident Magistrate. Mr fl. A. Stratford. . , ■ -'' The report'of Mr Stratford was also read, as published by us last week. The Mayor said the Counoillers would see from the, reports read when thoy: passed the resolution to hold tenders inabeyance, 1 it was bocauso fey considered! that bofore accepting tenders thoy ought to obtain the. sanction of the &.M., so as to make their aotionß accord with the Act. Cr Gappor had drawn his attention to the Act particularly, but he certainly did not consider that in holding the question,'in abeyance 1 that they were throwing out the report of Mr Bremner. He was under the: impression that it was Mrßremner'sschemethatwas laid before the R.M. Had he seen the report of Mr Bremner;dated 27th July, his eyes would have been 6pened, but that report had not been before the Council, although addressed to the Mayor. Ho saw that an alternative plan had been substituted by Cr dapper, as chairman of the Works Committee, He would not say it was done on Cr Gapper's own authority, but it certainly did not emanate from the engineer. Cr Gapper'B plan might be better-he could not say—but havinc gone to.the expense of employing a professional man, and having received and' adopted his report, and called for tenders in accordance therewith, ho certainly thought they were placed in an anomolous position by the course adopted by the Chairman of the Works Committee. He had agreed that the acceptance of tenders should be held over, but it was only that the requirements of the Act might be carried out, not on any account to allow the Engineer's plan to be Bet aside for an alternative scheme. He must say for CrGapper that he (Cr Gapper) had stated openly tothe Council that he did not approve of Mr Bremner's proposal, but haviug heard the almost unanimous wishoftheCouncil that the Engineer's schemo should be carried out, he would faithfully carry out their wishes. ..-.-. CrGapper said that at the time Mr Bremner's first report was before the Council he was in Wellington. The Council accepted the plans proposod, and invited tenders, which were not accepted being above the Engineer's' estimate of the cost, and.hemoveda resolution that tenders be not accepted pending furthur action in the w%rk (Cr Heron: No, it was ponding the Magistrate's decision). Cr Gapper continued that he went with the Works Committee as a body with Mr Adams and he looked at the Bite that had beon examinod by the old Works Committee. He gave his opinion that the old channel of the rivor could be opened up and a slight groin put in that would force the water in the new direction and relieve the town-side bank. The whole of those present were in favor of that scheme and that answered Mr Bromner's remarks in his letter upon "all being agreed." The Mayor: Do I understand you had a Bpecial meetiny of the Works Committee.

Or Gappor: No; we were all met on the'ground, Mr Adams being present. Mr Bremner appeared to have taken umbrage at the way ho had bean treated, - judging by his letter, in which he says the Works, Committeo had thought proper to roject his scheme.. Mr Bremner'sschemowasnotrojoctod. It simply remained to be decided upon, Mr Bremner had simply sent ina report, and tho Works Committee had said they havo a scheme which.was preferable to that of the Engineer, and it was for the Council to decide whioh was tho best, At the time Mr Bremner was asked to report, Mr Adams had hot been interviewed. He had always held aloof, and said the Council would not show him- fair play. Two of tho Works Committee had been met by Mr Adams trespassing on his land, and he gave them "a goodjacketing," but aday or two.after ho mot them in a different spirit, and they wont together, agreed upon a schome, and pegged off what land thoy wanted to carry it out. Mr Adams had agreed to let the Council have the land required, and free access to his property for river protection works for the sum of £lO, with reference to the report sent to the It.M, Mr Bromner says "it is impossible, to forosee the danger etc." They all knew that his (Mr Bremner's) plan was simply a trial, there was nothing to assure them that the woks ho contemplated would have the desired effect. There, he submitted, were the two plans for the Council to decide upon, Tho Works Committee plan shows but one srroirt and they are of opinion that would hare more effeot .than the three proposed' by file Engineer. He hoped tho Council would express themselves fully on the question. There might be some hot words used and probably would, but after it was over they could shake hands and be friends as before. The Mayor said the speech of Or Gappor contained matter that was quite new to him and which as Mayor he j ought to be cognisant of. The 'alfcerna' tlve plan of the' Works Committee had never come bofore the Council. As he understood, Gr Gapper disclaimed boing tho originator of th<j scheme, except on behalf of the Works Committee and,they ought to bear their share of tho blame if there was any, Or Mason asked whother the Works Committee were not Instructed to go on with the works. . Or Horon said the action of Cr Gapper was to. say the least of it most erratic. No authority had been given for an altersative scheme. Cr Gapper had not, as he said he would, loyally carried out the wishes of the Council. There-was ho report from the Works Committee to show what had been done. In the old Works Committee", had a case of this sorb arisen, they would have returned and held a regular meeting with the Clerk and the minute book before them, and passed a resolution on thesubject, and that would have been submitted to the Council. Nothing of the sort had however, been done in this case. ' The Town Clerk read the minutes of

;the' Council; 'Which showed tJpiafter the '.., ~new'W6rkV(&mmitteo was appointed,* >:; : motion was.'passed by the author- '[ss' ising the- Committee to got all th(i ;;•s',., accordance the •'pftvioufnießlng,: Tenders \?<Jr© invited; • *.and'being'' :: in' excess' of .eigyiiates, ■ wew jtot'accetsted.' "'•. .''•'••;.' W • ;■• The Mayof'said''theAuthority given th« new .Wbrks'Gommittee.: was'lo carry outj,' I not to upset the resolution' ''of the prorious that Mr Bremner's scheme 'be adopted; ■',•.'■■■' ' Cr Heron said tenders being £5 or £lO ; in eices's of was no excuse for the actionjn the Works Committee.. There -was mnmiig. in the Works Com* mittee's report-to show what 'had, been ! done. If. Councillors were allowed to sot in < that manner, the Committee would become autocratic,. and.lthe. management would. not be in tho. hands.of the Council,, but in that of Spe,oial ( .Counci!lo». ■.■-'/: - ■"'.■ Or Ga'ppo'r'Baid''the old t&fiSfirCom. mittee took no steps vhateverjto carry > ~. -out the Waipbua >orks but resigned; Be resiened with the others and was reelected. He • was' hot in favor of Mr Brew* '■ her's scheme and.said so. s

The Mayor: But-you said you would faithfully carry put tho wishes of the Council! ' Or Gappor said that was under the old Works Committee. ..'/.'•;; The Mayor said the business, of the old Works Committee was'relegated to the new Works and Or Gapper had said he would' Jwtyvout the wishes of the GounoU when fo wag olectiad chairman of. the Works Committee?. He had commonced very, badly if he intended to do so, and two months'had been .wasted, • v .'- Cr Gappor donicd'. that any time had been wasted as certain legal forms had to 'be goho through; ''' ■ .■'Cr Chamberlain explained that Mr Bremner had been asked for a plan to protect the north bank of th,e river from encroachment in the first place. The secbndvtune he was' asked for a schemo to turn the river into its old charJjtfC As one of the works' Committee he. was' in favor, of the,last schome, subject, however, to the, Mr Bremner. If the County Engineer did not approve of the last soheme he should be in favor of going on with the first scheme, Cr Mason oxplaincd that as one of the Works Committee he wont and saw the land that could be obtained from Mr Adams. Under the altered circumstances he was in favor of Submitting tiie new schemo to Mr Bromner. There was no question of being led by Cr Gapper. The now scheme was to be aubjeot to Mr Bromner's approval. He thought the Council wore making too much of the matter. Cr Perry said he would like to see the report of the ,Wo»ks. Committee. 'Or Gapper said they" halA> report to bring up until they had W Bremner's decision upon the second, scheme. The Mayor laidihat was nothing to do with the report of the Works Committee. Cr Heasey was of opinion that the scheme of the Works Committee was far preferable to Mr Bremner's.

The Mayor explained that mjjhiot the question they had to,de,al with* He waa desirous of giving the Works Committee I an opportunity of explaining their iufor. I mal meeting. He thought nothing further w»b to be gained by continuing'the discussion. Or Gapper and tho \\orki Committee no doubt moant wolUand had the good of the Borough in view, but they had been very'irregular in their action. Ho had had also been up to the river with tho Clerk, and ,Cr Perry, but he had not considered that as a meeting of the Council, When Cr dapper went up with the Works Committee, he should have held a formal meeting afterwards, and then it could not lure been simply taken as Or Gapper's opinion but as the report of the Work Committoe, and if tho Council thougtthe Works Committee Bcheme better thsthe j.othor tho former resolution accepting the first plan could have been rescinded in alegal manner, But the action taken .was felt to be an endeavor to defeat the wishes of tho majority of the Council by a side wind (Ores of No! Nol and Hear I Hear I were raised). The matter had now been delayed too long, and they unfortunately had tho flood tiine before them, and ho askod would it be wise to let a ; wntract at the preeont time. He consideJ«d the whole thing had been hung tip. (Or Gappor: No!) He would movo that the Council carry out the original plan of Mr Bremner, but not before the middle of October. .'...'

Or Heron movod an. amendment that the work be delayed until the middle of October, in consequence of flood time intervening without tying themselves to any scheme. He said by that time tho faco of things might be altogethorchanged, and thoy would be on the safe sido not to bo tied down to any particular Bchome, i The Mayor withdrew his motion in favor of Or Heron's.

CrMuir was of opinion that as it had beon delayed so long, and wtoto be put off further, tlmtit might not be taken in hand till next March.

Or Cullen was of opinion that they were not justified in expending tho general rates upon the work. As regarded the delay in executing tho work the publie, excepts few alarmists, would be glad of it. He thought they should take advantage, of the Loans to Local Bodiea Act just passed to borrow money to-do the work instead of using rates. Thoy had spent quite enough of the ratrtfeyers raonoy on tho Institute • i

Or Gapper pointed out tho necessity of adopting theoffer of Mr Adams, whioh after discussion was agreed to. Tho motion of Cr Heron was then put and carried. The Committee then went into Council to report progress, and the business done in Committeo was confirmed, and the meetinp closed, '