KAITANGATA AND TOAKITOTO LAKES.

Clutha Leader, 20 September 1878, Page 4

KAITANGATA AND TOAKITOTO LAKES.

A public meeting, called by advertisement, Avas held in the School-room, Kaitangata, on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of having the lakes sold under conditions of drainage, &c. There Avas only a limited attendance.

Mr D. Dunn Avas called to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. He expressed the hope that the meeting would manage to devise some means Avhereby the vexed question of the lakes would be satisfactorily disposed of. Mr Stoddart, in moving the first resolution, said they had now tried for a long time to have something done to prevent damage by flooding from the lakes, and at the same time, to reclaim much of the surrounding lands. They had erected a. lock by public subscription, but it had failed. They had applied to the County Council to -take over the lakes and have the necessary works carried out, but the negotiations between the GoA 7 ernment and the Council had also failed. He now saAv no Avay for it but to sell the lakes under proper conditions as to drainage, &c. He therefore moved — " That seeing the negotiations formerly entered' upon for having the Kaitangata andTuakitoto lakes handed over to the Bruce County Council having failed, the meeting is of opinion that the said lakes should be sold to a private individual or a company, under conditions of an efficient system of drainage Avorks being carried out and maintained. "

Mr Joseph Robertson seconded the motion. He considered it the only Avay of having a remedy provided for their grievances. He believed there was now no hope whatever of getting any assistance from the Government to carry out the necessary works, and the only course he could see was to sell the lakes under conditions of drainage.

Mr Blackie asked whether the Waste Lands Board had the poAver to impose conditions of drainage in connection Avith the sale of lands.

Mr H. Clark (member of the Waste Lands Board) said the Board had not the power, but the Government could sell lands under any conditions they found requisite.

Mr Blackie said he would never consent to the key of the drainage of the surrounding lands being handed over to a private individual.

Mr Stoddart explained that the second resolution to be proposed Avould fully meet Mr Blackie' s objection. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Petrie moved the second resolution as follows-: — " That in the event of the Government agreeing to carry out the foregoing resolution, that the same be given effect to in a manner so as to secure to the owners of the adjoining properties the full rights of damage into the lakes, main channel, and convenient creeks ; also, that provision be made for roads along and across the said lakes and water channels at convenient distances." In speaking to the resolution Mr Petrie said some were of opinion they should have a Board of Conservators constituted for the district. He pointed out that this would be difficult, expensive, and very

undesirable course, as they would have both the lakes and the river to contend with. If the lakes were, sold this would bring revenue to the County Council, Road Boards, &c. It would also bring a fertile plain under cultivation, which would enhance the trade and prosperity of the whole district. It would of course be necessary to preserve the right to drain the adjoining lands into the lakes or water channels, and also to survey convenient roads. This, his resolution, provided for, so that the public rights and privileges would be fully protected.

Mr Blackie would like to have the proposed system of drainage better defined. In the negotiations between the Government and the Council, no definite system had been laid down, and he thought before committing themselves they ought to know definitely what was intended to be done.

Mr H. Clark explained with reference to the negotiations between the Comity Council and the Government. Although the Council were not anxious to take over the lakes, they had expressed their willingness to do do so, so as to get a remedyprovided for the hardships under which the settlers and others labored. The Council therefore had asked the Government to hand over the lakes, and agreed to erect a lock at the mouth of the creek, and execute such works as would keep the lakes at their summer level. The Government refused unless the Council undertook to carry out some extensive drainage scheme. The Council asked to be informed of the nature of the scheme, and the conditions were found to be such as the Council could not agree to. He understood from Messrs. Macandrew and Larnach that the Government were quite ready to hand over the lakes to the Council, and he thought those gentlemen were naich to blame for having misled them and wasted valuable time. He was given to understand that Mr M'Gregor, who formerly offered to, purchase the lakes, was still willing to do so. 'If provision were made for keeping the lakes at their summer level, and for the drainage of the surrounding lands, Ac, sufficient roadlines, he thought the settlers would be quite safe in allowing the lakes to be sold.

After some further discussion the resolution was put, and carried unanimously. The Chairman was requested to forward copies of the resolutions to the Colonial Secretary, and Mr Murray, M.H.R.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.