KAITANGATA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 207, 28 June 1878, Page 6

KAITANGATA.

Public Meeting.

A meeting of settlers and others in the Kaitangata district was held in Mr Jenkins' Bridge Hotel there on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the steps to be taken to drain the lakes and prevent damage by floods.

Mr D. Dunn was called to the chair, and there was a large attendance.

Tlie Chairman explained that the meeting had been called by advertisement to consider what steps were necessary to prevent their properties being damaged by floods. He called upon anyone to give expression to their opinions or to submit a motion.

Mr Stoddart said it was unnecessary to waste the time of the meeting by saying many words upon the subject. They wanted the lakes drained, but were unable of themselves to do it. The only course open for them was to liave the lakes vested in the County Council, and he therefore moved— ' ' That in the opinion of this meeting the Bruce County Council is the proper body to have control of the Kaitangata and Tuakitoto lakes. That the Government be urged to vest the lakes in the Council, upon condition that the Council undertake at once to erect a sufficient lock, and straighten and deepen the Kaitangata creek, and construct what works may in the future be found necessary for the protection of property. " Mr Aitcheson seconded the motion.

Mr Hislop doubted whether the passing of the resolution would insure the drainage of the lakes. The Council might secure the lakes, obtain a revenue from them, and only expend a certain portion of the funds in drainage. He would like a stipulation that a sum equal to tlie revenue to be derived by the Council would be expended in drainage works.

The Chairman pointed out that the Council was elected by tho people, and woidd therefore be under control and bound to do what was best for the general community.

Mr James Petrie, M.C.C., was glad to see so many settlers present taking an active interest in the matter under con-, sideration. It was a subject he had taken an interest in for many years. He believed it was quite possible to keep the water off, and that too at an expense that would nob compensate for even one year's damage by flood. There were so many conflicting interests to be dealt with that it was difficult to get the people to work together for the one common cause, and he believed the only practicable course was to place the matter in the hands of the County Council, when, he had no doubt, everything would be done to the satisfaction of the public. If the lakes were vested in the Council, they would soon have the lock erected and the lakes drained to- their summer level.

Mr Joseph' Robertson strongly supported the resolution as the only practical mode of getting their propertie*protected. He thought it was the duty of all to support the resolution so that tlie necessary works might bo commenced, Ho suggested that as the Chairman of the County Council was present lie should oxpress his opinion upon the subject.

Mr Clark said he belie**. ed the Council were not at all anxious to liave the control of the lakes handed over to them, and if Mr Hislop could suggest any better plan for accomplishing the object the Council would l.c very glad of it. However, he believed that the public wished the Council to take over tlie lakes and carry oub the works, and the Council were willing to comply with that wish. He understood that what was wanted was simply to erect an efficient lock and keep the lakes at their summer level. He was glad the settlers themselves had moved in the matter, and hoped the resolution would be passed, as it would show the Government that they were anxious for the County to have control of the lakes. So far as it had gone the Government had only had an application from the Council upon the subject, and il might be thought the County wanted to get hold of the 1 lakes for revenue or other purposes. The resolution would show the Government that it was the desire of the people that that course should be adopted, and no 'doubt that desire would be given effect to. It would be necessary to pass a measure at next session of Assembly to vest the lakes in the Council, and were the Government to promise to bring in such a measure he thought there was no fear of opposition from any quarter, and the Council would be justified in taking immediate action, so that the works might be carried out so soon as the river was at a suitable level. From a report furnished by Mr Blair, it seemed that the lock could be repaired and the channel straightened at a cost of about L4OO. TMs would for the present do all that was wanted. The Government had recently asked the Council whether in the event of the lakes being put under their control they would be prepared to carry out an approved scheme of drainage. To that the Council had replied enquiring what was meant hy an approved scheme of drainage, and so the matter stood. He expected a reply from the Government in ; a few days. He repeated that the Council were not at all anxious for the control of the lakes, but' if the people wished them to take them over and carry out the works, they would agree to do so.

Mr J. P. Maitland said the resolution met with hi-, earneat support as one long

interested in the -matter in the past, and looking forward with increasing' interest to the future. He knew of no counter proposal which -would offer such advantages as that before them, and he trusted every one present would support the resolution. He had no doubt the Government would ask, and the County Council would give, a guarantee to carry out the necessary works of improvement if invested with special powers, such as borrowing on the area itself for instance, in order to carry out what was required. He thought the manner in which the Council showed themselves willing to i carry out the views of the settlers highly commendable. There was no question as to a bill on the subject passing the Legislature. The meeting were taking the best possible means to strengthen the hands of the Council in the matter.

Mr Clark pointed out that the Council would be in no way pledged to cany out any works until a measure was passed by the Assembly, but if the Government were to promise to introduce such a measure he had no doubt the Council would act at once.

Sir M'Farlane approved of the resolution, and endorsed the remarks made by Mr Clark.

The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Mr Maitland suggested that a memorial embodying the result and wishes of the meeting should be submitted to the settlers for signature, and forwarded to the Minister for Public Works, and tliat Messrs Stoddart, Aitcheson, Robertson, Morrison, Watt, and Petrie be a committee to prepare the memorial and procure signatures. The committee to have power to add to their number. The Chairman asked whether anything could be- done in the meantime to remove the broken lock from the mouth of the creek which wa3 now preventing the outflow of water.

Mr Petrie suggested that the settlers should take steps to remove the lock, and then, if the lakes were vested in the Council, the Council would no doubt pay whatever expenses had been incurred.

A discussion ensued,

Mr Maitland thought that there would be no difficulty in having the lock removed by subscription from the settlers. ]\lr Robertson, as a member of the committee, proposed that the committee should call for tenders for removing the lock at once and subsequently dispose of the materials.

Mr Watt seconded, and the proposition was carried unanimously.

A vote of thaid-3 to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.