DECLAMATION

Southland Times, Issue 18850, 16 June 1920, Page 5

DECLAMATION

PRISON DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE. CRITICISED BY COUNCILLORS. In reply to representations from the Town Council regarding the construction of the embankment on the eastern side of the Wtiihopai river at Burton, the ControllerGeneral of Prisons has written that work at Invercargill could be carried out only according to the exigencies of the labour situation from time to time. It was the department's intention to in tike an early start on constructing a further section of this work. The letter asked that in considering the progress of further work the Council should hear in mind what had been done already in connection with the construction of the embankment on the town side, the construction of the jetty and other matters in excess of the requirements of the agreement. When the letter was considered at last night's Council meeting Councillor J. T. Carswell said that it was true that the department had done a certain amount of extra work on the jetty, but, generally speaking, it was a case of '‘quid pro quo.” This, however, was quite beside the question. When the agreement was entered into it was understood that the work should be carried out when labour was available. That was true, but the prisoners had been taken off the construction of the embankment and put to make a rifle range, which could have waited. Long delays had occurred in connection with the eony.nieiion of (he railway to Otatara, and this entailing heavy expense to the Council, had, he thought, caused the extra work on the jetty to he done. Councillor K. Sheehan said it did not seem to him that the Council knew where it stood with the Prisons Department. It had been getting [Hit off for years. The recent wash out, causing damage that would have to be repaired at the ratepayers’ expense would not have occurred if the reclamation work had been carried out as fully as it should have been by this time. . Councillor S. McDonald was emphatic, in the statement that the work should be completed. For years floods had caused damage along the eastern side of the Waihopai. Councillor,J. Stevenson was informed that it was nine of ten years since the agreement between the department and the Council was entered into. A motion was carried referring the letter to the committee interested.