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Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 178, 7 December 1877, Page 5

It will be seen from a report of the meeting 1 held at Inch Clutha on Monday evening, that the initiatory steps have been taken to have the provisions of the Hawkes Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act applied to the Island. The meeting- was an influential one, and was hearty and unanimous in the matter. With such unity of action on the part of the settlers of the proposed district, there can be no doubt that the object aimed at will be accomplished. The first thing is to get the owners or occupiers of three-fourths of the acreage of the island to sign the petition. This done, the Governor has no option but to grant the prayer and proclaim the island a district under the Act. The Board of Conservators will then be elected, and proceed to raise funds and carry out what protective works maybe found , necessary and practicable. 'No doubt there will be many petty details to adjust; and arrangements to make, but with prudent men elected as members of the Board these will all be accomplished without any great difficulty. If the importance of the main object be always kept In vieW,-~the prevention of loss "and damage by flooding,— there need belittle fear of any serious hitch

occurring with reference to matters of mere detail. To attain an object of such paramount importance, all should, and no doubt will, be willing- to act 1 upon the principle of give and take, where necessary, and in every way to facilitate operations which must prove beneficial both to individuals and to the public at large. Now that the initiative steps have taken, and that the object has been so heartily endorsed by the inhabitants of the island, it is to be hoped the Committee will lose no .time in carrying out the duties for which they have been appointed. Delays are proverbially dangerous and in the present case they might lead to dissension, and also permit damage by floods which prompt action on the part of the Committee may be the means of averting.