ANOTHER WORD IN SEASON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 983, 28 June 1872, Page 3

ANOTHER WORD IN SEASON.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times) When any disasters occur in the affairs of mankind, it is very customary to ascertain their probable causes; and to act in such a manner as to prevent their repetition ; but in Westport the inhabitants do not trouble themselves about these things, They are now rebuilding where there is every likelihood of the township being again swept away. It is very obvious from the age of the timber on its banks, that the Buller river was confined to very nearly the same course, for a period of one hundred years or more previous to settlement, with settlement the axe went to work, and all the trees and vegetation were destroyed. . In a few years the roots which bound and held the banks of the river together rotted, the spaces they occupied in the soil filled with water and became a great source of weakness, and each successive flood carried away its portion, and will continue to do so, until the river cornea in contact with something more solid than anything it now has to contend with. Any one who has ground sluiced amongst growing timber, will understand the resisting power of roots to their operations. In many parts of the country it has been proved, that when timber was cut upon steep faces, even where there was very little water, landslips ensued; and now, especially about Dunedin, it is customary to allow the natural timber and under growth to remain. If these premises be correct, the fate of the township now erecting is only a question of a few years time; for as the river carries away the north bank, a great portion of it will be deposited in the stiller water on the south side, the one advancing as the other recedes. Under these circumstances, I am of opinion that the only permanent site is that mentioned by Mr Rowlands, viz the terrace, on the south side, for althoughythe same system of destroying the vegetation on the south side be adopted, the river is sure to come in contact with either a real, or what miners call a false bottom, (either of which would withstand the action of water) before it would reach the terrace, or at all events do it any injury. Tour obedient servant, Black Sand. [We have been reluctantly compelled to withhold this letter from publication for two issues, in consequence of press of matter. Ed. W. T.]