PUBLIC MEETING AT BLENHEIM.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 123, 27 June 1868, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING AT BLENHEIM.

Ik pursuance with advertisement, a public meeting, called by a number of settlers in Spring Creek, was held in the Council Chamber, Blenheim, on Wednesday last, in reference to the Opawa Breach. The Chairman (S. L. Muller, Esq., 8.M.) said he took the chair with great pleasure on this occasion. This was not a political or party question they were met to discuss —it was for a public good and benefit to all. The question had been brought to their own doors, and within their own doors, in rather an unpleasant manner. It was not a local matter, but affected the whole country generally. If it went on much in the present style, they would fall into the way of the Maories, who were contented with the cultivation of a mere patch of ground, and living anyhow. If they ; wanted civilization, and the comforts of j civilized society, the roads had first to be > looked to. He had been lately through a portion of the affected district in going to Picton, and he was of opinion that if something was not soon done, the road between this and Picton would be impassable. Though the water affected Spring Creek, it also affected Blenheim, the Big Bush, and-, the Lower Wairau generally. -The Provincial Government had no funds, and it behoved the people to look to themselves; and if all put their shoulders to the wheel, they would hit upon some workable plan for meeting the evil. He had not to express any opinion of his own about the work to be done; having, as chairman, merely to keep order, and ask for a free and fair hearing for everyone. (Applause.) He then read a statement by Mr. Bobert Bobinson, of a visit to the Breach—his finding a bar across the Big river allowing a flow of only 14 or 15 inches of water over it, whilst the great body of water came down the Opawa. His proposal was that a cutting 4 or 5 chains long, and 3 or 4 feet deep, would throw the water into the Big river. The cost would be about £2OO, and could be defrayed by subscriptions. Mr. Eyes had been spoken to, and he sent Mr. O’Sullivan to inspect the river and make a report. The Chairman then read the following report from Mr. O’Sullivan . “Sir, —Having by consent of bis Honor the Superintendent, and in compliance with the request of some of the Spring Creek settlers, visited the head of the Opawa river, in company with a number of the above settlers, Messrs. It. Robinson and Reeves, who visited the place on Monday last, pointed out to me a fall where a channel may be opened, which, if made about one chain wide, would not fail in carrying the whole of the water into the Wairau river, as there is at present only a trifling run of water running into the big river, which will in a few days be quite dry, this being by far the most likely place for opening a channel that may do any good. “ In order to obtain a good fall it would be neccessary to commence at a distance of 13 chains below the deep water above the fall, and if carried on a dead level a fall of five feet can be obtained. According to the above dimensions, the estimated cost would be £360, and would include a small stream which runs also into the Opawa along the South bank, and which can be conveniently turned into the big river together -with the main body. “The site for the above channel is on the North side of the big river, opposite tho old dam, and at the South point of the long island which extends from the North bank of the big river below the rock. ‘‘ In consequence of its distance from the Opawa river head, and the suitability of the site for the channel itself, I am of opinion it will provo of some considerable service, if properly carried out.—l am, &e., “John O’Shiuivan, “Officer of Public Works.” Mr. Beeves said he considered if a channel was cut it would throw all the water down the big river, and there would be no such floods as they had been having lately. He thought the town and country ought to raise subscriptions, and clear it out. If some men could not give money, let them give labor. There were not more than 480 yards of stuff to move. It was no hard work, and a man could do 10 yards a day. The Bank to be thrown up would want a little manuka or other stuff put on it to bind it. If not, done quickly they would see what it would come to, and they would regret not taking it in time. 'Where he came from, the banks were made for a distance of 40 miles, and all-the place would be under water if the people did not attend

to them. One time the banks broke, seine people were drowned, and much destruction was done, there being 10 feet of water over the fields. They should always keep funds in hand, so that after each flood any damage done might be repaired. He Would propose

That a working Committee be appointed, to -carry out the views oi this meeting.” He wanted to see the work done in a workmanlike manner—(applause)—and not in the nonsensical way of the first dam; (Applause.) Mr. Budge seconded. ’ 'Mr. BuDGE proposed— : “ That the following gentlemen bo requested, to constitute the Committee -Messrs. G. Dodson, H. Redwood, H. Dodson, ; and H; Godfrey.” —He -said~dt was 2L-lyeara ago When he was first at Starvation Point; and his especial attention was drawn to this overflow of the Wairau river. He drew Mr. Fox’s attention to it, as he was Secretary to the New Zealand Company at the time. If he ,(the speaker) could assist the Committee, he would be happy. A working committee should, necessarily, be a small one. Whatever expense they might incurr in carrying cut the object, he would give a full -quota towards liquidating it—from £5 to. £SO, if necessary. (Applause.) Other names might be added to those he proposed.! Mr. CojiNEi-ius O’Dwyek seconded.

Mr. H. Dodson said he 'was prepared; to further the object. He could hot give the -attention to it that would be. required frpm the Committee. He could .contribute jto the cause better by money than by time. He wished his name withdrawn. ; Mr. Dobson said they could hardly allow Mr. Dodson to have his name withdrawn, as he had interested himself considerably in .the matter of the Breach, and he thought be would be a very useful) member of Com.mittee.

The Chaxemait said he would be c soriy to eee Mr. Dodson’s name taken off, a,s he would represent the Town, ‘ and would devote his energy and great talents to the cause.

! Mr. C. O’Dwxek proposed Mr.Dobson. Mr. Collie said the proposed Committee was tod small, and too much 61 a class. It •was only composed of gentlemen, and they all knew what the.first Committee of gentlemen did with the Breach. (Laughter.) 'He considered! some working, practical men should be included, such as Mr. Reeves for instance, who had expressed .sensible opinions upon the subject. Mr. P. Rush proposed Mr, J. Shepherd. Mr. H. Dodson said that a large committee would be good in this case, and the .members of each district could bring the matter before their neighbours and collect subscriptions. He would propose Mr. C. Eyles. He thought the Committee ought .to ascertain the amount of money that would be required to do the work, and then collect the subscriptions; and also, that the whole sum should be subscribed for before the subscribers were called on vto pay. ; . , .. . Mr." Reeves sa(4:.he“ had consulted a lawyer;' and he" said that a subscription list would not be binding on any one.

Mr. H. Dodson said he would make it ‘binding enough without consulting a .lawyer. ’ ~ , . The Chairman said the question of binding the subscribers was a "very important *qne. There was a difficulty about binding them; but that could be effected in either -of two ways... Ist., By making some one to get the work done, and the parties authorising him should put their mmes to the order. 2nd; By each subscriber giving his promissory note for the amojmt,of his subscription. ... ... | Mr. Wald proposed Mr. G. Henderson .as a member of the Committee. ; .. j '

Mr. Stenhouse proposed Mr. 1 James ;F. Hathaway. \v.’ ; Mr. Collie proposed Mr. John Tucker Robinson, being one who had taken an .active part in many matters connected* with .the, town. ■ ■ * " Mr. Ficton proposed Mr. Archibald JMcCallum.' j ; '

Mr. Sklaark "proposed Mr. F. J. Litch-

field.., , ; - ■ ,_ L > The parties proposed were added to the Committee, and the'proposition was then ,put and carried as follows :

" “ That the following gentlemen be requested ,fco constitute the Committee-;—Messrs. G. >Dod-

son, H. Redwood, H. Godfrey, H. Dodson, A, . Dobson, Reeves, R. Robinson, J. Shepherd, C. Eyles, G. Henderson, J. F. Hathaway, J. T., Robinson, A. M‘Galium, and F. J; Litchfield, and to proceed to collect subscriptions, and take such other measures as they may deem desirable*

Mr. CoLhiE thought that par i^esgn', the ‘ meeting should’ give some. practical hints ns tg. what ought to be done at the Breach! When Committees met, they very frequently Iboked at business iii an off-hand way, or were in a hurry to getaway again," £0 that practical details were neglected. He would like to know what would be -done with the shingle taken out 3 as from

a remark of Mr. Dobson’s at a previous meeting, any cuttings he had made got filled in again by the first flood that came. He could not help expressing his hope that in whatever, the. Committee did, they should, make it contribute towards the permanent benefit of the river ) a permanent arrangement should always be kept in view, otherwise they might go on spending sums of money'every how and then, without any solid advantage. , ! Mr. Beeves'said Mr. O’Sullivan thought the shingle ought to be earned to > the opening of the Opawa, to increase the bar there. ... ... i

Mr. Collie said that a previous meeting appointed, a Committee to take steps to get the Drainage Act brought into force. As the present meeting were of opinion they should do the work, themselves, it was advisable that there, should.- be some understanding about the previous arrangement.

. .; Mr. H. Dodson mid lie was one of the committee, „ and he/ found ,that the ,1 tax under the Drainage Act was an acreage one, apclcppldpgt apply to the (- to,wp. ( ' (i tp the country ; ihe farmers therefore have to pay the bjilk of the rate. In these circumatances he would hot be a party to advance the Act. .Regarding their, present proposal, it seemed to him the Committee themselves ought’ to examine the work in conjunction; with Mr. Dobson, who was better acquainted with these .things than any other; person here. He knew personally his first work at'the Breach was attended with success. When the subscription lists went round, he thought it was desirable to take promissory notes for the amounts subscribed by each. , v , ~f Mr. Dobson said that from what he gathered from the remarks of apeakers, he understood many settlers would give a considerable amount jp labour by finding teams, or working on the ground. It would be advisable to have a list of those willing!to contribute in that way.

Mr. Reeves did not see how the work could W let by cpntifact. ' all the farmers go with' drays, do the work as quickly as possible before a flood interfered with them, and let the subscription lists go round to pay the labourers. A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and the proceedings closed.