RIVER BANK PROTECTION.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 634, 19 March 1870, Page 2

RIVER BANK PROTECTION.

"We resume our report of the interview between a deputation of the inhabitants and the Provincial Secretary and Engineer, on the tmbject of river protection. Mr Pitt (after Mr Greenfield's statement as to past expenditure) said it was desired that Mr Greenfield should state what the Government intended to do.

Mr Gbeenfield said Mr Blackett had come to Westport for the specific purpose of making a further examination of the river and sea-beach, with a view to affording information to the Government as to what should be done. .The Government had a very small amount of funds at their disposal, and the matter would greatly depend upon Mr Blackett's report. The protection of the sea-beach was a matter which would require a very large outlay, if it were recommendable to do anything at all. It was a serious matter to deal with, and he was not prepared to say what should be done; he could give no definite answer without consulting the Superintendent. Mr Pitt asked if the Wangapeka road would be repaired in preference to Westport being saved. Mr Gbeenfield said he had seen it stated that there had been a very large expenditure on the Wangapeka road. That was not correct. At present all that had been done was to spend a few pounds on the horse-track. No extensive expenditure would be made there until they knew whether it was a good goldfield. Mr O'Conob represented that, although a large sum of money had been expended in this district, there was no permanent work to show for it. Even the destruction of the former protection works was due, not to the insecurity of the river, but to the inferiority of the works. At the present stage, such works as the Upper Buller road sank into insignificance compared with the safety of the town, and the preservation of the navigation of the river; and, from these considerations, as well as from the losses and sacrifices they had made, the inhabitants had a strong claim upon the Government.

Mr G-beenfield recollected that, when he was last in "Wesport, the most pressing wants were the opening of the Buller road and the track past G-iles Terrace, and the Government undertook that which they thought would be most conducive to the general benefit of the district. It was his intention to go overland to Nelson for the purpose of seeing the track, and obtaining a knowledge of the district; and he would be able to form an opinion of the value of the expenditure made. He was aware that it had cost a great deal of money,, there having been a large amount of rock work. Mr Munbo, in urging the subject on the attention of the Provincial Secretary, and in asking a definite reply, referred incidentally to the beach protection works which had been undertaken as having been successful in illustrating only how such work should not be done.

Mr Gbeestfield explained that the District Engineer, in asking for authority to spend a small amount, had stated that it was only an experimental thing. Mr Munbo put the question to the Provincial Secretary—What do you intend to do with respect to river and beach protection, if anything; and when ?

Mr Greestiem) said that whatever was done would greatly depend upon Mr Blackett's report. Since Mr Blackett's last report, there had been discovered some stone valuable for such works, and the cost of any works would be considerably lessened. As to the beaches, their protection might cost thousands of pounds, and he was not prepared to give a definite answer. Mr Mttnbo asked if the Government would be favorable to any qualified person examining the situation along with Mr Blackett. Mr Gbeeneield said that had been done on a former occasion, merely with the effect of Mr Blackett's opinion being confirmed. Mr Sheahait said that though they had every confidence in Mr Blackett, the high estimate which the Government formed as to the cost of river protection had invariably shelved the work. There were other estimates that the works could be comparatively cheaply constructed. Mr GBEEjmELD read to the deputation Mr Dobson's report to the Government, recommending the construction of a stone groin, calculated to cost £1,500 or £2,000,

Mr Blackett said he was fully prepared to recommend the Government to undertake such a work as a beginning. The facilities for getting stone would tend materially to reduce the cost. Mr Mttneo thought that even a less sum might he sufficient. Mr Gbeenfield said if such was the case, no doubt the work would be undertaken. But the sea-beach was a subject of more serious consideration.

Mr Blackett answered a number of questions as to details of the works proposed. He did not approve of using timber more than he could help. The works at Hokitika and Greymouth were not satisfactory, and would all go away some day. What he wished to do was was to devise something substantial, and, although he had not completed his calculations, he thought £IOOO might make a work which would be substantially useful to begin with. Mr Gbeknfield, in reply to the de-

putation, said that if Mr Blackett'B report maintained his present calcula • tions, the Government would he prepared to go on with the work at once. After some further conversation Mr Pitt, on behalf of the deputation, thanked Mr Greenfield and Mr Blackett for the interview, and retired.