FLOOD-GATES AT THE WAKATIP AND WANAKA LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 316, 15 May 1868, Page 3

FLOOD-GATES AT THE WAKATIP AND WANAKA LAKES.

(To the Editor of the Dunstan Times.) Sir,—l see from your report of proceedings in the Provincial Council that our re. presentative, Mr. Fraser, presented a petition from a Mr. Badger, praying for the construction of flood-gates, or more properly dam-gates, to hold back the waters of Lakes Wanaka and Wakatip. At the first view of so novel and extraordinary a proposal judgment and experience arc, for a time, lost in wouder ; but, on recovering one’s self-possession, it may be doubted whither an undertaking of this kind would be more successful than the operation of the old lady with her mop. But the idea is magnificent. A railway to Skippers ! Navigation of the Molyneux ! Why Hercules’ great work of cleansing the bullock-stable of the King of Elis, choked up with the accumulated excreta; of three thousand oxen, was nothing to this. Is this Mr. Badger an engineer, seeking distinction for his designs by boldness of conception ? Or a capitalist, speculating for investment ? Or a contractor; wanting a job ? But, no matter what he is ; the idea has pone forth, and it will not be lost to the world. Cutting-off the sources of the waters of the Kawarau and Clutha. This of course would lay bare the bed of the Kawarau river through the entire length of the river, and that of the Clutha as far down as Alexandra, exposing the glittering sands to the inexpressible delight of Caucassian and Mongolian. But this is not the solo benefit, It would destroy the ferry nuisance, and pedestrians might cross the river dry-shod like the Israelites at the Bed Sea, without apprehension of danger (thanks to the desiccating genius of Mr. Badger) from a “wall of water” either on the right hand or the left. But there is one consequence of this scheme which may be productive of local inconvenience, and I mention it that it may receive due consideration from their Worships the Mayors and Town Councils. It is this. That, as the ordinary watersupply is at some seasons inadequate to the requirements of the municipalities, if the water be dammed back and the beds of the rivers laid dry, some calamities might be entailed on the population. Clyde and Cromwell might be deserted by their inhabitants and remain desolate amidst, the surrounding aridity, and Alexandra become

the sole remaining city and metropolis of the Dunstan Goldfield. How vast the consequences of thisTgrand design ! Like all great conceptions for conferring general benefit, inducing partial evils in the process of realisation, involving sometimes, as in this case, the ruin of cities and transference of the seat of empire. I am, &c, COLONUS. May 13, 1868.