THE CLUTHA AND ITS ENCROACHMENTS.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 213, 9 August 1878, Page 6

THE CLUTHA AND ITS ENCROACHMENTS.

On Monday last Mr Driver, M.H.R. for Ifaikorai, Avas waited on by a deputation from the TJalclutha Borough Council, consisting of Messrs M'itfeil (Mayor), Dunne, and Mason. Mr M'STcil, who acted as spokesman, stated that the deputation had boon appointed by tho Borongli Council to wait on i'-lv Driver" in his capacity as :i member of the House of Representatives to solicit his support and inilucnee in obtaining tho passing of a voto for LSOOQ for tiio purpose of protecting tho rivev-bauka from the ravages of the Clutha rivur which had been going on for some time. The encroachments wero sonic tiling considerable, even more than Government wove aware of ; arid the eifoct would be the destruction of a considerable portion of the town unless imino'liafco steps were taken in tho matter. If Government did not view tho | matter in its real light they -would be put | to considerable expense, perhaps Lloo,ooo. If the enCTouclimeufc was allowed to contin no the river would get into an old channel leading directly to tho railway i station, arid a considerable portion of tho line would thereby be swept away, necessitating the erection of a fresh bridge and new station buildings. The Corporation had petitioned tho Minister for Public Works to put a sum on the Estimates for the work, and in conjunction with the member for the district the deputation thought the importance of the work justified their approaching Mr Driver and | soliciting his support and interest. | lUr Driver said no one knew better than ho did the encroachments that were going on, and the necessity that existed for something being done. Did the Borough Council want the money as a subsidy, or did they propose doing the work themselves and asking the Government for assistance 1 Mr M'Neil replied that various estimates and plans had been prepared for the work. The Government would be asked to vote L 5,000, and the Corporation would supplement the sum. From tho position of tho Govermnent works, and the risk they ran, Government would bo justiiled in placing the vote on the Estimates. Mr Driver was of opinion that it was impossible for a small community like tho Clutha to undertake a work of such magnitude without some aid irom the Go femmem,, ile would be very glad to assist Mr Thomson, the cb' strict member, in pressing the, matter on the attention of tho GuwmmeuC. It was impossible the rato payers could undertake the work singlehanded. Cr. Dunne said that Government had tl .rovm a large burden on the borough in the way of maintaining the bridge on the main road. The JJorough Council found that the encroachments were getting so alarming as to permit of no delay. Mr Driver : Has tho Borough Council ever communicated with or made application to the County Council to do anything at all I Cr. Dunne : They have not communicated with tho County Council, feeling t!i at, like the .Borough Council, they have not much means at their disposal. fvi.r M' ls oil : They have applied indirectly to tho Board of Conservators. They say fcliat it, is no part of their duty to protect tho river-bunks — they have nitnply to improve the navigation of tho river, which I they intend doing. (Jr. Dunne mentioned that the steamer was increasing the damage to tho riverbanks, so that the matter assumed an alarming aspect indeed. Mr Driver : I am going to Wellington in a day or two, and immediately I am there 1 shall communicate' with Mr Thomson, yoiu; member, and render him every assistance in my power towards getting Govern.mci.it to give you practical assistance. 1 repeat again that the Borough Oouucil are unable to tuidertake such a work as this. The deputation thanked Mr Driver and j withdrew. — Evening Star.