The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1870. "Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 8 January 1870, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1870. "Measures, not Men."

This morning we present our readers with the Tuapeka Times in an enlarged form, and from the additional space now at our disposal, we shall be glad to receive communications on any subject affecting the welfare of the widely scattered districts through which the paper is circulated.

! The recent floods in Lawrence have shown, more forcibly than language can express it, the necessity for the natural creek between the two large culverts lately built by the Government being deepened, and formed so that these floods will be prevented from deluging the adjoining property, as was the case on Sunday last. There appears to us no other means for bringing about such a desirable object than for the holders of the property which skirts the line of creek, meeting together and carrying out the work under a uniform plan. To cut a channel sufficiently large for these extraordinary and exceptional floods would no doubt be a costly undertaking, but the saving to the property involved would be incalculable. It would be needless to ask any assistance from the Corporation towards a work of this description, as the liabilities of the town are quite as much as the present shilling rate can meet; besides, there have been resolutions passed for public works which it will require about ten years' accumulation of rates to execute. There is one work, however, to which the Town Council will be compelled to give some preference, as it comes so immediately within their province. We refer to the formation of a large culvert to carry the water of # the creek above referred to under Colonsaystreet. Since the Government culverts were made and the water diverted into its original channel, Colonsay-street has been the scene of floods from every thunderstorm ; and a work of that description, in conjunction with the deepening of the creek, would make ample provision for even a heavier flood than has been experienced in that portion of the township. But Koss Place is not yet free from the devastating influences of the watery element, and every year it will become more and more subject to these periodical inundations. It is evident from the steady rising of the bed of the creek caused by the Wetherstones tailings that, sooner or later, something must be done to stem the tide. The storm channel has proved to be one of the most absurd pieces of work ever executed by any Government; but, since it exists, we cannot see any remedy from the evil other than that of throwing up a dyke after the Dutch fashion. A wall, or earthwork of that description, two feet high, would serve every purpose for some years to come, and could be executed by the proprietors of the respective holdings in the vicinity of the creek, for a mere trifle.