PUBLIC WORKS AT CATLINS.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 182, 4 January 1878, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS AT CATLINS.

„,,.A deputation, consisting of S Messrs- R. Wilson , GutKrio.;- Koitli -'R^insay-; Tewsley ,- Anderson, VDicksnn, D.abbie r ;: >eoiilM*; B"rtKltttt v ;arid "".;R:.'/-Aii'drew,.^waited on tlie HO2l. Mr;Larriaoh in I)uh4diuypn Friday last for: tlie...p.urpps'9 t>f r-iivging the nece_sifcy of _ prosecuting certain' works at Catlins Hiver, for , whioh, money has been voted by Parliament.; y . •

Mr R. -Wilson, havinsf introduood " the deputation, read the following petition : — To the Honourable the Minister of Public Works. We tho undersigned s<-*ttlera,_inill-bwner.s,- and residents of'Oatlins River, .earnestly dft'-ire that you will, graciously give effect to the' followiug petition: —

During the last session of Parliament, four sums of monoy were granted foi*' improvements in the district ; namely, two thousand pounds for extendiug tlie telegraph to this" place ; one thousand pounds for- improving the: niairt road ; ono thousand pounds to remove t.he rncks at the - entrance of the harbour; nnd nlso five hundred pounds to erect a je^.ty and store. We therefore earnestly request that your honourable -Government, will undertakf* the var'ous works without (h-Jay. for the following reasons, whicli we hope yoVi will'take into sp-Hous consideration : —

1. '\s the summer is ponsiderably advanced, and the roads are in. good "condition for cxrting 'material,- it -would be wise to 'take advantage of the fine weather to.piwh on the extension of the telegraph, as in, all probability tho route chosen 'will be through a- dense hushYwhiclr in winter is inipassahlefordrav tr >ffic. .. - ...

V; •■>,_; , To ,!?ive your, 'honourable [Government any idea of thVstJite of.'tKo roftfl^iri" winter is -almo'-t impossible, but we beg to state tbat during the winter months dray- traffic- is.entirely suspended ; therefore we earnestly Hope something will be done before winter s-^ts ir.

'-3. -The" removal of the rocks is' of urgent necessity, as the petition sent from ' here, and-, favonrabjy received by -thedionourable the Houso of Representatives, will show ; 'arid if : tho work was undertaken- at once, the operations would not be retarded by the heavy seas usual aloug the coast in thewinter.

-4., The erention of a jetty and store before the harvest would be an immense boon to the whole di«*'t\*ict<. as' there is no shelter whatever for grain awaiting shipment,, and goods landed from tb« vessels liave v ofteh been partially if not" wholly destroyed, through'haviug to lie"exj.osed to the weather .

We therefore Earnestly trust your honourable Government , will seo.tbe necessity .of the various wrks heiiig undertaken as' speedily ns possible, and of gi-ahtina* tlie earnest' request of your petitioners, who, as /in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.

(Here follow 142 signatures.)

The Hon. Mr Larnach said he would be glad; of any suggestions. , Ifc had been represented that the amount voted for removing the rocks -.in' the river would be insufficient, but if the work could be done for LIOOO the . Government would carry it out.

Mr Andrew replied that be was confident the sum voted would Be sufficient for the purpose. " The object sought was to remove the main rock from the centre of the channel, where it now impeded traffic.

In reply to questions -,

Mr Andrew said there wore several rocks, but the main one was covered with two feat of water at low tide. An attempt was made some twelve years ago to blast ifc with gunpowder, but it did more harm than good. It was believed that by using dynamite in the same manner as at the Bluff the rock might readily be removed. With reference to the telegraph line, he stated that it could be brought by the road branching off from the Nuggets line, and that the distance to the township, would be eight miles. There was abund-, ance of timber for posts, and tlie residents', were cohndehf'that if worked in -connec-' tion- with. the -Post, Office, a telegraph office would' 'be self- supporting. He, pointed out that while the roads were in good condition, aud timber could be easily procured, the jetty should be proceeded with, and he urged the risk which produce now ran from exposure to the weather while awaiting shipment as a reason why a goods-shed should be constructed without delay. -. The- site for : a jetty -and store had. been agreed upon at a meeting of the residents. Mr 'Andrew" also referred to a petition which had been presented by the settlers to the Waste Lands Board, praying that 10,000 acres of land on Brugh's run should be thrown open for settlement. The land was' represented to be lightly .timbered. ('and /excellently adapted for tillage, but the,Bbardfhad j ,declined- : takir*g action; .unless strong pressure was brought to beiar;on.ity _;,,;.,' ; y "-'-,-'•■.- -.- .■ -y •: '."'The VHoti. z: Mr :./Larnach~ advised- the settlers to wait'-' pnv="the ; ' ;Hony Mr . Macandrew. in reference- to -tlie? land}; /and prom ised , iii reference ■ 'tcf cthe y ariou s '.Tyorks referred, to,, that nb.iim^ in ihitia^ihg-'theirii-V '}. '\ s ' '-; 7 yS7rz777 [i '' :--