THE RIVER.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 817, 27 May 1871, Page 2

THE RIVER.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times and Charleston Argus). Sir,—Permit me to call your attention to a slight inaccuracy in your "leader" of the 25th, in which you state that, " some four or five years ago the channel south of Martin's Island conveyed a large body of water, &c."; istead of such being the case 10 years ago it was only with the greatest difficulty that a canoe could be forced through the little channel at the head of the island, which, at that time, did not exceed four feet in width ; it remained in that condition until the first of January, 1868, when the very he.ivy freshes at that time washed away nearly three acres of the land from the upper end and opened the present channel, which is continually being widened by the freshets at the expense of the island—thejdebris being carried down and lodged on the large shingle bar opposite the town, and, in my opinion, forcing the water on to the North or Town side, and, perhaps, in a slight measure causing soino of the damage complained of. It might, perhaps, be better to try and restore the Island Channel to its original Btate than to risk the blocking up of the mouth of the river by widening it. Eor the truth of the remarks made here concerning the channel, I refer you to any of the old in habitants—the Maoris, or to Mr Brunnor's survey of the island in April 1862. Hoping you will excuse this trespass on your time and patience,—l am, Sir, yours very truly, ISLANDEE.