✨ Report on Buller River
18
NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
much of the shingle at the upper end of the South
Channel as would practically restore it to its old
condition, and make it an efficient flood-water out-
let for the river, I have no hesitation in saying that
the money would be well expended.
As to the question of whether timber or stone
protective works should be undertaken, I am decidedly
of Mr. Blackett's opinion. The tremendous force
of the flood currents of the Buller renders it impos-
sible to be certain that any works for controlling the
stream and protecting the banks would be permanent;
and it becomes consequently true wisdom to con-
struct them in such a manner that they can be easily
repaired. If timber spurs are damaged either by snags
or by being undermined, they are almost certain
either to be carried away en masse, or to be in-
jured and shaken that it would be cheaper to make
new ones altogether than to attempt to repair the
old; on the other hand stone spurs would only be
partially damaged at the very worst, and could always
be easily and comparatively economically repaired
by tipping in more stone on the top of the old work.
When the permanence of the work (irrespective of the
action of floods) is further taken into account, the
argument in favor of stone becomes still stronger, as
even the best timber to be found on the West Coast
is far from durable when alternately wet and dry.
Mr. Blackett has explained to me what he is at
present doing for the protection of the lower part of
the banks from the ocean swell, and I quite agree with
him that it ought to answer the purpose, if not
undermined by floods.
It will, therefore, be observed that I thoroughly
agree with the tenor of the Provincial Engineer's
report in every respect, but that I should further
recommend an expenditure of, say, £2000 in clear-
ing the upper end of the south channel. This, I
believe, would prove a valuable addition to the works
recommended by Mr. Blackett, as all such flood
water channels have a very important action in
reducing the velocity of the current, even although
they do not, in many cases, materially reduce the
height to which the floods rise. As it is the velocity
of the Buller which gives it such enormous scouring
power during floods, it must be obvious to everyone
that any work which will tend to moderate the
velocity of the flood water of the river must have a
beneficial effect.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JAMES M. BALFOUR, M.S.C.E.,
Colonial Marine Engineer.
The Provincial Secretary, Nelson.
Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government of the Province of Nelson, by NATION and LUCKIE, Waimea-
street, Nelson, Printers for the time being to the said Government.
Nelson Provincial Gazette 1869, No 7
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Report on the Buller River
(continued from previous page)
🏗️ Infrastructure & Public Works28 January 1869
Buller River, Flood protection, Engineering, Provincial Engineer, Colonial Marine Engineer
- Blackett (Mr.), Provincial Engineer whose opinion is cited
- James M. Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer
- Provincial Secretary, Nelson