The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: TUESDAY, AUG. 20th THE PROTECTIVE WORKS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2137, 20 August 1907, Page 4

The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: TUESDAY, AUG. 20th THE PROTECTIVE WORKS.

At a recent meeting of the Borough Council a letter was received from Mr Malcolm, M.H.R., in reference to the protecti\ e works at the back of the township. He said that he had intervicwed the Minister on the subject of a grant to strengthen these works, but the Minister wonted to know what the Borough Council itself was prepared to do in the matter. We do not know that the Council lias done anything towards supplying the information asked for, but it appears to be quite evident that before the Government''will give any assistance the . Borough Council. must bear a share of the cost. To what extent the Council should offer to assist is somewhat difficult to suggest without having some knowledge of the scope of the work to be undertaken. Wo have hoard it sujjgosted, however, that the Council should offer to bear one-third of the cost. The total cost is not likely to exceed £3,000, but for the sake of argument we will put it down at that sum. This would moan that the Council would have to find £I,OOO, which would mean an annual interest charge of £SO. If tho ratepayers of the borough could fe;>l that a payment of £SO a year would "ensure ttym practically. absolute security from danger, they would have reason to consider themselves fortunate. There is no occasion for any scare over the matterindeed, there is not likely to bo any scare, for the weakness of the people; here does not lie in the direction of being easily scared, rather the reverse probably—but the fact remains that the embankment is not in such a condition as to give a feeling of absolute; security uguinst any flood that is likely to take place. We would like to see the work strengthcncl, and heightened by at least 3ft. There is a good quarry at the head of the embankment, and with the use of trucks the work could lie done on tho cheapest scale possible. Considering the interests the Government have nt stake in the township, it is only reasonable that they should bear a substantial proportion of the cost of making the embankment in such a state of height and strength that it will resist any flood, and we believe the authorities have now como to view the matter in this light. That being so, the Borough Council should not' block the way by not stating definitely what it is prepared to do. The Government will no doubt be glad enough of the opportunity of letting the question stand over in the meantime, but the Council should not lend itself to this. There is now no timo, if anything is to be done this Session, to get detailed estimates ns to cost, but it seems to .us that the best course is to offer to bear, one third of the cost up to, say £I,OOO, and ask the Government for tho other two thirds—£2,ooo. If it is subsequently found that a less sum would prove adequate then so much the better. But something definite should be done, and that at j once.