NELSON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 69

controlling power than the flood-water from this side
channel.

That the opening of it would cause a deposit on
the North Beach, is, I think, highly problematical,
and a result, however much wished for, not to be
depended on.

It will be borne in mind that Mr. Balfour recom-
mended the opening of this channel, but it was
for the purpose of reducing the velocity of the river
in floods; and it will be seen that we have already
provided, by the use of stone groins, against the
destructive effects of the velocity, which may now be
usefully employed in preserving the depth of the
channel.

2. To cut a new channel immediately below the town,
   across a very narrow part of the Spit.

This proposal may, I think, be dismissed with very
few remarks.

The Spit here is very narrow, the sea having
reduced it to about a chain in width at high water.
The channel would not be in the direction of the
flow of the river, but nearly at right angles to it, and
the action of both river and sea would be to fill up
again any channel which might be cut in this place.

Any money spent on this would, I think, be
thrown away.

3. To cut a new channel across the North Spit, a
   little lower down, in a straight line with the general
   course of the river.

This channel would be longer than that described
in No. 2, and would be cut obliquely across the Spit.

There would be a slightly greater chance of keep-
ing such a channel open than the above, but, suppos-
ing the experiment to be successful and a channel
established, we should then have two mouths to the
river, and it needs little argument to shew that, this
being the case, the chances are that we should have
less depth on the bar in than there were only one
mouth existed; and the hope of the old mouth being
entirely stopped up by the action of the sea, is, I
think, very small; the entrance no doubt would be
shallowed, but the river would almost certainly seek
the old exit in heavy floods, I cannot recommend
the adoption of this proposal.

There is the chance also of this experiment being
too successful, and that the destruction of the lower
part of the town, now sought to be avoided, would
be hastened by such a process. I cannot recommend
the adoption of this proposal.

4. To erect artificial works on the tail of the Spit.

This proposal is, I think, deserving of consideration,
and might be placed in the list of works necessary
to improve the bar, and preserve the harbor in a
navigable state.

It would have the effect of deflecting the current
in the main channel, and giving it, according to the
form and position of the works, more or less a more
northerly direction, which is to be desired.

It will now be necessary to refer to the plans of the
river, where it will be seen that its course from a
point about two miles from the sea, is that of a line
nearly straight to commence with, but curving
gradually more and more as it approaches the sea,
the curvature tending southwards. The general
plan of the river is very slightly altered, since the
place was first frequented, the principal changes
being an increase in the curvature opposite the Town
of Westport, caused by the destruction of the river,
banks to the extent of about three chains, the advance
of the North Spit, near its extremity towards the
South Spit, which has been washed away for a
distance of four or five chains.

The actual outflow of the river over the bar, is
not only increased in width, but points in a direction
considerably more to the southward than before.
The depth of the water on the bar is much less than
during former years, but very little alteration in this
respect has taken place during the last twelve
months.

It will readily be understood, however, that these
changes, although very small and insignificant,
compared with the size and volume of the river, and
the magnitude of the forces at work, should appear
to be of the greatest importance, and to affect
materially the interest of those living on or near the
spot.

On the North beach, however, the changes have
been much greater; and, although, had proper
measures been taken at a much earlier period, its
destruction might have been partially arrested, I
cannot now recommend that any works shall be
undertaken on the beach itself, for the purpose of
protecting the town, being of opinion that any
expenditure for this purpose must necessarily be
very large, and if contributed in by the inhabi-
tants themselves as proposed, their proportions
would be better expended in procuring safer sites,
and in removing their properties. There is a
prospect, also, that the damage has already reached
its greatest extent, as the sea in places has commenced
to throw up large quantities of boulders, where
formally was sand, forming a bank which is growing
in extent seawards. The present movement may, in
fact, be but one of those oscillations of the coast
line which have evidently occurred, and not
unfrequently, in former times.

It now only remains to suggest such measures as
may tend to the improvement of the river, and
render it permanently safe and commodious.

In the first place, I may state that any attempts
to straighten its course will be attended with no
advantage, the natural flow of all shingle bearing
rivers for obvious reasons, is in a series of curves
and in the present case, we may, I think, ensure the
permanence of deep water on or near the outer line
of the curve, by protecting that line. This will be
best done with stones and rocks as above described,
and the greater irregularities of the curved line
should be adjusted.

As we approach the sea, it will be necessary, in
order to prevent the wide dispersion of the current
on the bar, to stop its tendency to flow southwards,
and to concentrate its force by artificial works to be
erected on the South Spit.

These works should be curved in the opposite
direction, so as to turn the current more to the
North, and give it force to deepen the passage over
the bar. Works of a substantial character will be
required here, as they will at times be subject to the
action of the surf.

To assist the action of the above, I should adopt
the recommendation in proposal No. 4, and erect
artificial works on the tail of the Spit.