FLOOD BANKS AT STIRLING.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXX, Issue 2, 4 July 1913, Page 6

FLOOD BANKS AT STIRLING.

DEPUTATION TO COUNTY COUNCIL At Tuesday's meeting of the Bruce County Council Messrs J. C. Anderson and A. E. Farquhar, on behalf of Stirling residents, waited upon that body in regard to flood protection. Mr Anderson said that after the March flood the people on the lowlying land in Matau riding became somewhat alarmed. A public meeting was held, the position discussed, and three schemes were suggested for the protection of the land from flood. The settlers had subscribed between £l5O and £l6O, and now, as they had no status, they asked the council to "take them under its wing" bo that they may receive assistance from the Government. For three years past there had been £SO standing on the Estimates for strengthening the bank at Stirling, and the settlers now requested that the council, on their behklf, apply foi the payment of that grant. This money should be acquired immediately, as it was necessary that the bank above Stirling—which was the key to the protection of all the land on the northern side of the river down to Kaitangata—should be strengthened before the spring floods came down. If the bank gave way and the water poured over the land it would involve the expending of any sum between £7OO and £IOOO to repaii the damage to the roads and bridges.' The settlers also asked that the council apply to the Government for a £ for £ subsidy on thfe money that the settlers had subscribed between them. Two of the Ministers who had inspected the bank had been pleased with it, and Mr Allen had advised a deputation the other day ttt Stirling to apply for a grant. Mr Farquhar also spoke, outlining the position. Councillor Haggart asked if the work Was to be carried out by the local committee. Mr Anderson: Yes, but always under the supervision and subject to the approval of the county officers. Councillor Haggart: I certainly object to our engineer drawing plans for this bank, as that would make the council liable in future. I don't object to applying for the money, but I do object to this council being implicated in the work. Mr Farquhar: We don't ask the council to become responsible, and it will be paid for any expense which it is put to. Councillor Clark said he would like to know what was the legal opinion. The Chairman (Councillor Boyd) said he had consulted the county solicitor, and had been informed that the council would not be held liable for the banks, as it was merely asking for the money and supervising the work to assist the ratepayers in their own protection. Councillor King said the inspector as a private in<fcvidttal«aild draw up the

plans, but it must be understood that the council had nothing to do with the work. He thought it was only right and fair that the council should assist the settlers in the way the deputation Buggested. ! : Councillor Boyd: If the council applies to the Government for the money it will be responsible for it, and it will' .have to see that the work is carried' through properly. [ A councillor said work similar to this : had been done at Berwick, the council getting the money for the ratepayers and the county engineer drawing up the plans and then handing them over to the local committee. | On the motion of Councillor Hitchon,. seconded by Councillor Begg, it was decided to apply to the Government for the £SO already on the Estimates. After a little more discussion Couii- % cillor Russell moved that the council apply to the Government for a subsidy; , of £ for £ on local subscriptions up to £2so.—Seconded by Councillor Haggart and carried. ■ i Mr Anderson then asked that the ! council also give assistance in a bank proposed to be erected on the road runj ning to his place from Stirling. A bank ( three or four chains in length was required there, and he suggested that the council assist by having the plans drawn up and also voting towards the work an amount equal to his yearly rates. Councillor King: That is a matter for after consideration. J The meeting adopted this view, and the matter dropped. ' Councillor Boyd: The council will do what it ean to help the settlers there, j Mr Anderson then thanked the coun- ! cil for the courtesy extended to the deputation and withdrew. i . I | NEWS OP THE WORLD. | « | MILITANT SUFFRAGETTES. ' DESIGNS ON MINISTERS. | LONDON, July 1. | The 'Daily Mail' says that Hon. R. j McKenna (Home Secretary) has arrived I at details of his intentions in regard to I a small but dangerous section of milij tants who threaten to attempt the lives ■ of prominent members of the Cabinet i if a militant Suffragette dies while unj der sentence. SOUTH AFRICAN MINERS STRIKE. JOHANNESBURG, July 2. The miners at Randfontein have struck. The executives of the Miners' Associations and Federation of . Trade Unions have unanimously resolved on a general strike at all mine works on Friday. HON. D. LLOYD CEORCE. LONDON, July 1. The National Liberal Club entertained Hon. D. Lloyd George (Chancellor of the Exchequer) at luncheon. Responding to the toast of his health, the Chancellor thanked the Unionist press for not participating in the "fatuous man-hunt." He said that lie accepted Lord Robert Cecil's standard of political morality. It was a pity it was not in force when millions of acres of the people's inheritance were bartered by a Parliament governed by landlords in both parties. H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND. SUVA. July 2. H.M.s. New Zealand arrived yesterday A Government ball was held tonight, and a civic and native function will take place to-morrow. The battlecruiser will leave on Friday. SYDNEY SHEEP SHOW. NEW ZEALAND AWARDS. SYDNEY, July 2. At the Sheepbreeders' Association's Annual Show the New Zealand prizetakers were:— Romney Marsh ram, two years.—D. Grant (Timanf) first. Ram under two years and ram under 12 months.—J. Dowthwaite (Waimate) first and second. Ewe under 18 months.—Dowthwaite, first. He was also first for pen of ewes and got second for pen of rams. Border Leicester rams over two vears and under two years.— D. Grant," two seconds. Ram, 12 months.—D. Grant, first; Tenison (Killinchy), second. ' Ewe, two years".—W. Rennie (Doyleston), second. Ewe, under two.- Dowthwaite, first. Ewe, under 18 months.—Dowthwaite, first and second. Pen of rams.—Dowthwaite, first; Rennie, second. Pen of ewes.—Dowthwaite, first; Rennie, second. English Leicester ram, two years.— D. Grant, first; Nixon, seoond. Ram, 12 months.—Nixon, first; Grant, second. Ewe, under two years—Nixon, first ■ind second. Ewe, under 18 months.—Nixon, second. Grand Champion Romncv Marsh ram md ewe.—Joseph Dowtlnv i'te. Both in number and quality the display of British-breds is a record. KINC AND THE DOMINIONS. MELrpURNE, July 2. The Federal M.rhtcrs have no information about the report that the King is likely to visit the dominions in 1914. KANCAROO STAMP ABOLISHED, MELBOURNE, July 2. The new Postmaster-General (Hon. Agar Wynne) has decided to abolish the kangaroo stamp adopted by the Fisher Government, Mr Agar Wynne considering it ridiculous and that it has made Australia the laughing-stock of the civilised world. He is replacing the stamp with one which will show the bust of the King with a kangaroo on one side and an emu on the other, and the Australian coat of arms. INDIAN TRAIN DISASTER. CALCUTTA, July 1. In regard to the disaster by which a train was precipitated into the river at. Bardwan, 13 injured passengers, all natives, were recovered. MILDEW IN FRENCH VINEYARDS. PARIS, July 1. 'The newspapers report unprecedented ravages by mildew in the vineyards.