KAITANGATA GRIEVANCES.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 184, 18 January 1878, Page 7

KAITANGATA GRIEVANCES.

last issue we mentioned it had been arranged for a deputation from Kaitangata to wait upon Ministers in •vDunedin on Friday last. The, depntastion, which consisted of Messrs J. P. Maitland, Atcheson, W. Mowatt, W. ;;T^smith, and P. F. S tod dart, was introduced by Mr W, A. Murray, M.H.R., Mr /Thomson, M.H.R., also accompanied the iii embers. The following was the result, as reported in the Daily Times : The Floods. Mr Murray explained that the deputation waited upon the Ministers to bring before them a number of matters, but principally some through the flooding of certain lands by the Clutha River. One of the deputation explained that the works which had been erected at a cost of L 650, had unfortunately proved only a temporary assistance. The flood-gates had been undermined by the last flood, and a large quantity of ground was swamped and some excellent ground utterly destroyed. Mr J. P. Maitland made a similar statement, and supported the application to have something done. Some public property as well as private property was damaged by the floods. The Government had granted L 355 as a subsidy to a similar sum raised by the district, and this sum had been expended on the works which had been destroyed. There were now about 2500 acres of Government land under water, and about 100 acres of town land. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said that j the Provincial Engineer had guarded against giving his opinion in favour of the stability of the scheme, and no blame could be attributed to him. The Hon. Mr Larnach : So far as I am concerned, I would not be one to favour any assistance unless I saw the people were willing to contribute themselves. Though part of the Government land is under water there is also a large amount of private land, and if the Government is in a position, I could believe in helping those who are willing to help themselves, but I would not be a party to do it in any other form. The Hon. Mr Macandrew suggested that the Engineer might report upon the subject. The 'Hon. Mr Larnach : Well, I will get the Engineer to make a report for the guidance of the people, but in any case I do not know whether we shall be able to see our way to give any assistance in money, and if we do, it will only be on the assurance that an equal amount will be subscribed locally, at any rate as a guarantee the Government funds will be cautiously and prudently expended.