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say now that our work has not been of any benefit to flood relief. Notwithstanding this, however, in previous years the Lower Wairau River Board made many attempts to make a cut through the Boulderbank exactly where the harbour made it. Private landowners in the Lower Wairau joined with the River Board. On one occasion it was cut through, and the benefit was so great that, after it closed up, the settlers particularly spent a lot of money in trying to cut it through again. Just before the Harbour Board opened the cut in the Boulderbank the Lower Wairau River Board heightened the banks around McArtney's property and others in the vicinity, making them from 4 ft. to 6 ft. high. Since the cut has been opened, however, and even although there have been some of the largest floods known in the river, the water has never been above the foot of the bank. If all the Wairau River water were taken down to White's Bay I think the present cut would not block up, but there would be a bad. outlet and a bad bar. The Opawa River always flows through the town, even though it is dry where it commences from the Wairau. We would sooner have the district absolutely relieved of flood than have a river harbour. We do not want the harbour closed, as it keeps freights down ; but we do want, and must have, flood relief. In my opinion, if there was merely an overflow channel to White's Bay it would always block up. I think it will be harder to keep open there than in its present position in the Boulderbank. Many acres have been formed near the rocks during late years—acres of gravel thrown up by the sea

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given printingC 750 copies), £13 10s.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington. —1917.

Price. 9d.]