RIVER ENCROACHMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1266, 17 June 1886, Page 2

RIVER ENCROACHMENT.

MEETING AT WAKANUI. A meeting of ratepayers, convened by advertisement, was held at the Wakanui Schoolroom last evening, for the purpose of considering the question of river en croachment. There were about forty gentlemen present, and Mr James Brown was voted to the chair. The Chairman, having brutly explained the object of the meeting, invited the conveners to bropose a resolution. Mr 0, Hill proposed—“ That this meeting Is of opinion that the water for driving the Wakanui Mid should bo taken from the Wakanui creek Instead of from the river at the protective works. 1 ' Mr W. Jamison seconded the proposition. , , _ Mr Protheroe, the leasee of tho Mill, said tho convenors had been very dilatory In moving in tho matter. His application for permission to draw water from tho river for tho purpose of driving tho Mill, was before the County Council for some months, but there was not a breath of opposition to the proposal until ho had made a considerate expenditure and completed hlo arrangements Me .vas now surprised to find some of his neighbors, who had previously expressed approval of the undertaking, wore seeking to stop his water supply, and put him to a large additional expense. One gentleman, Mr E. Thomas, had even proposed to join him (Mr Protheroe) in leasing the Mill, but within the last few weeks had developed a bitter and unreasoning opposition to tho work. Mr Protheroe asked those present to approach the subject with a sense of fair play, and not to be induced by personal enmity to Inflict an injustice. The Chairman said Mr Protheroe had applied to tho County Council In January last for permission to use water from the Ashburton river for the purposes of the Mill. There could be little doubt that the channel re-opened by Mr Protheroe might in case of flood load a largo body of water on to land in tho neighborhood. The ratepayers, ho was sure, had no desire to do an injustice to Mr Protheroe; they merely wished to give him timely notice that they objected to a work which would continually menace their properties- The supply for the Mill might easily bo drawn from the Wakanui Creek, without injuring anyone, and Mr Protheroe and tho proprietors of the Mill should bo given distinctly to understand that the ratepayers immediately interested emphatically objected to tho concession made by the County Council Let them give this notice, and then, so far as lay in power, insist npon the present Intake being closed. Mr Protheroe complained that a certain ratepayer had said he (Mr Protheroe) was only a tool in tho Bank of New Zealand's hands. Tho Chairman observed that no such insinuation had been made during the meeting Mr Protheroe said the statement was freely made outside, and he wished to give it an unqualified denial. He was entirely independent in tho matter, and was acting in his own interests. Hie water he required was disconnected with tho main stream, and its diversion could not possibly influence the course of tho river nor inflict injury upon any adj fining property. M - E. Thomas said his proposal to join

Mr Prolhoroe in working the mill was intended aa a joke. Ho had adviaed Mr Prothoroo to obtain the opinion of tho ratepayers on Hie subject before commencing tho work. Mr Protfiocoo. —No

Mr Thomas said ho could easily prove his words. It was all very well for Mr Protheroo to say the small stream would do no harm, but it would be too late to turn tho water out if the whole river were brought down there. No harm would be done Mr Protheroe, and the opponents of the present arrangement really wanted to save the proprietors of the Mill further expense. At tho request of Mr Welsh, tho Chairman read a precis of the agreement between the County Council and Mr Protheroe.

Mr E. Thomas said Mr Protheroe had told a ratepayer that he (Mr Protheroe) received £4O for bringing the water In. Mr N. Fitzgerald understood the Chairman to say it was intended to recommend that Mr Protheroe should have six month's notice to close the race Ho thought that should be embodied in the proposition. The Chairman said there wore other propraitiona to follow. Mr C. Hill supported the proposition, and dwelt npon the dangers arising from the present arrangements. Mr M. Wi ! son thought the greater part of the opposition to Mr Prothoroe’s undertaking arose out of personal enmity. He had watched the river for a number of ye us, and was qnite sure the race did not add to the danger. It could do no harm to anyone, and the agreement between the Council and Mr Protheroe showed the former was looking after the beat interests of the ratepayers. His (Mr Wilson’s) farm was as much exposed as any land in the district, and he was quite content to leave it in the hands of the CouncilMr S. B r own eaid the race would endanger the whole country if allowed to remain open. He referred to some personal matters between Mr Protheroe and himself.

Mr Welsh proposed aa an amendment —“That in the opinion of this meeting the interests of the ratepayers are amply protected by the existing agreement between Mr Protheroe and the County Council, and those present see no reason te interfere with the present arrange-

raent.” Mr N. Fitzgerald seconded the amendment. He thought the motion went quite outside the ostenaibla business of the

meeting. They were called together to discuss river encroachment and they had talked of nothing but'Mr Protheroe’s mill

race. The stream diverted for the purposes of the mill had existed for 10 or 12

years, and the diversion could In no way affect the adjoining property. In reply to the Chairman, Mr S Brown said the convenors of the meeting had made a mistake. They intended to call a meeting to discuss the mill race, and they also intended to confine the attendance to the electors of No. 2 ward of the Road Board. The Cinirman said ho would rule according to the Intentions of the conveners. Mr Leadley expressed surprise at the Chairman’s ruling, and claimed a right to speak. He explained the agreement between the Council and Mr Prothetoo, and assured the ratepayers that their rights and privileges had been carefully conserved.

After some further desultory discussion the amendment and motion were put to the meeting. The Ohaitman declared the latter oarrrod by 7to 8. Six hands were held up in favor of the amendment, but the Chairman ruled that only ratepayers of No. 2 Ward were qualified to vote. Mr W. Jamison proposed “ That the using of the small stream In the river bed as at present can do no harm when the river is not in flood further than to bdp to swell the creek, but in time of flood if the main stream should run into the bend when the bank is weakened by the cutting of the mill race, and where It has often been before there is every probability that the river wonld overflow the bank and do great damage to the water races, the public roade, and private property.” Mr 8, Brown seconded the motion which, after discussion and a protest by Mr Welsh with regard to the Chairman’s refusal of certain votes, was carried by 8 to 5. , Me S. Brown proposed “That in the opinion of this meeting the works done in order to get a supply of water for the mill greatly weaken the river bank and endanger the interests of the ratepayers in the river district, and that the taking of the water from the river for the purposs of driving the mill should be discontinued as soon as possible after notice has been given, and that six months notice of such if circumstances allow <f it, should be given to Mr Prothoroe and to the mill proprietors, to save them from incurring any unnecessary expense on the race trom the river. ” The motion was seconded by Mr iv Thomas, and after some opposition by Me Cole, was carried by 8 to 5. It was resolved to send copies of the foregoing resolutions to the Ashburton County Council and Wakannl Road Board, and local matters of le'a interest having been discussed, the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.