INCH CLUTHA AND THE LATE FLOODS.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1062, 28 January 1879, Page 5

INCH CLUTHA AND THE LATE FLOODS.

On Saturday morning a deputation of settlers and landowners at Inch Clutha, representing the local Road and River Boards, and consisting of Messrs W. Barron, Anderson, Smaill, and others, waited on the Hone. J. Macandrew, J. Ballance, and R. Stout. The deputation's object in waiting on the Ministers was to ask the Government to repair the breaches in the river bank at Inch Clutha, and to request a loan of £5000, to be expended in repairing damages to roads and works caused by the late floods. Tbe various speakers contended that the breaches in the island had been caused by the Government woiks, as the effect of the railway embankment was to divert the force of the water against the portions of the river bank which bad given. The Government on tbis account, the deputation considered, should therefore repair the damage done. It was impos&il le for the water to dry up till the breaks bad been repaired, and as the district was consequently in an unproductive state, if affairs were pei mitted to remain as at present, there musfe needs be a loss to tbe Government of £2000 per annum. If the loan of iJoOOO were granted, ifc would be r-paid by annual instalments, After consulting with Mr Blair as to the probable cost of repairing the breaches, the Ministers declined to accept the liability for the damage caused to the river bank, but under tbe circumstances they would consent, in this instance, to allow tbe breaches to be repaired afc the Government expense. Respecting the loan as but little was now left of the £50 OCO vote to Otago, tbey would advance £2500 without interest, the sum to be repaid by yearly instalments of £SCO each.*—' Herald.'