INCH CLUTHA PROTECTIVE WORKS.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 108, 31 January 1879, Page 5

INCH CLUTHA PROTECTIVE WORKS.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Allan, j Holmes (chairman nf the Kaitangata Bailway Co.). J. P. Maitland, J, Inglis, and other Stirling and Kaitangata settlers waited upon the Hon J. Macandrew te point out' that tbe proposed stopping of the gaps upon Inch Clutha would have an injurious effect upon the townships of Stirling and Kaitangata, and the mainland generally, through the water now firading its way across Inch Clutha, being directed on to the mainland It was explained that the most of the water in the Clutha river now flowed down the Matau river, and when to this was added that now flowing oyer the Island there could be no doubt a great quantity would find its way over the bauks, to the damage of private property and the railway lines on the mainland side. The deputation urged that in any works the Government might undertake, the iuteretts of the district as a whole might be considered. Mr Blair, district engineer, was consulted, and a long conversational discussion took place. The opinion was generally expressed that a way of getting over the whole difficulty would be to divert into the Kaou branch as much water as formerly flowed there, and the Hon. Mi Macaudrew said he considered this was a work tho Clutha Board of Conservators, who had an endowmeut of 50,000 acres should undertake. Mr Inglis, one of the deputation and a member of tbe Board, said a meeting was to be held in connection with the subject of improving the navigation of the Kaou branch, but in reply to Mr Mncandrew he said he could not [•r*»mise that anything would be done Tne H<>n. Mr Macandrew said he would com municate directly with the Board on tbe matter. In the meantime, if the Inch Clutha people decided to go on with the works to protect themselves frcm the water which had come in upon them, he did not see thab they could be hindered from doing so. Perhaps a wise thing wouid be for the island and mainland to unite as a river trust district for the purpose of carrying cub the necessary works'