RIVER PROTECTION WORKS.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 235, 10 January 1879, Page 6

RIVER PROTECTION WORKS.

._ - — :»..;„ A7A --- - . r -yy 'yy jtobth _f6i.y_r_dx. , A public meeting of the settlers of the _»Fbrth Molyneux district was held in Rae's Hotel, Stirling, on Monday evening at 8 o'clock, for the "purpose of taking steps to "protect Stirling and the neighbourhood '. from floods. There was a fair attendance of ; settlers and property -holders in Stirling arid.neighboarhood. Mr J. C, Anderson was called tc? the chair. The 'Cnairnian having stated the object of the meeting, referred to the disastrous "effects of the" late floods, and advised the meeting to put their shoulder to the ' wheel atid "erect banking along the river bank, especially the upper portion of Mr Inglis* property. There were, he said, two ways of raising money — First, by bringing tlie district under the Hawkes Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act ; and second, by voluntary subscription, which latter, he thought, wonld not be the best method, being afraid that the amount .required would not be got. If the district were brought under the Rivers Act, the settlers" would receive £ for S> from Government for every pound raised by way of Tates. Mr Peter Smith objected to the distiict being brought under the Hawkes Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act, and considered that the raising of funds by subscription would be the most suitable. He considered that a sufficient sura could in. this way be raised for all the pntection. works required at the point proposed, and would ■willingly subscribe towards the same. Mr G. H.. Gilroy asked what would be the boundaries of the river district, supposing it were brought under the Act. Mr Geo. Inglis replied that he believed the! Road Board district could be divided, taking the flat land and leaving out the high land. He (Mr Inglis) could not give his opinion in favour of either the river district, or endeavouring to put up the protection works by voluntary subscription. Sir Geo. H. Gilroy_ stated that if the •breaks on the Island wore left open there would be no use in banking the river in any part of the district except the part on Mr Inglis' property. It was repoi-ted, towever. that the breaks on the Island would be closed. Mr P. Smith replied that if there were three feet "more water running down the Matau branch, it would be better to do nothing at all, as all the works would be Mr James Petrie felt a little diffidence in giving his opinion on the subject of river protection, as he was one of the •smallest holders of property about Stirling. He considered, however, that so far as the Stirling people were concerned, they ought to build a bank high enough to protect themselves, and lay aside all party feeling ; -that every one should do his best in saving his land, and be everyone a subscriber willingly and cheerfully, for in saving -others they saved themselves. He would recommend a groin to "be put in the river Esomewhere above Mr Inglis' property. He was in favour of adopting the "Hawkes /Bay. and Marlborough Rivers Act, but did -not see how the district could be divided. If a line could be drawn so as to divide the district, he had no doubt it would be the best way, *but*he was afraid it would not give general satisfaction, and hoped 'the meeting would see its way clear to gather subscriptions for the 'banking. Mr B. Parker stated that on coming to •the meeting he had no intention of taking a part in the jjroceedings, i-but would express his opinion that the best method of banking or getting funds was by raising a "voluntary subscription. It was moved by Mr Gilroy ; -seconded byMrW. O. Watt,- and carried— " That it is advisable to wait and see what is -done on Inch Clutha before anywo_ka be <done on this side of the fiver." It was arranged that a meetingto ap;point a Committee to look after the interests of the district be held dn a few cdays. The meeting then adjourned.