CUTTING THE OUTLET.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVIII, Issue 70, 3 September 1937, Page 7

CUTTING THE OUTLET.

SUBSIDY OFFERED FOR WORK

AT OLD SITE

The District Engineer, Public Works Department, forwarded copy of a letter received from the chief engineer regarding the outlet to Lake Ellesmere.

In the chief engineer's letter it was stated that at a meeting of the Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee at Taumutu, strong representations were made against the construction of the proposed permanent outlet at the point where the temporary outlet is now situated. The engineer-in-chief was present at the meeting and informed the committee that if the Government made the sum of £200 available to cover the extra cost, it was probable that the Drainage Board would agree to make the outlet this year at the natural site. He had now been advised by the Secretary of Marine that a grant of £200 was available to the board when it next became necessary to re-open the lake, provided that the board made application for same, and that the opening be made at the site of the original (natural) site. The board was asked if it were prepared to undertake the opening of the lake at the place indicated, that was, where the fishermen desired it opened, on the understanding that payment of this subsidy would be made.

Mr F. Miller suggested that the annual cost of opening the lake since the use of the drag-lines had been adopted should be ascertained before giving a reply to the department.

It was mentioned by a member that many years ago the outlet had been cut where now suggested, while others replied that since then the shingle had been hard packed and it would probably cost more to cut through the bank there and scouring later by the stream from the lake would not be so readily commenced.

Mr P. Coop was of the opinion that to attempt the cut there with the lake at a level of anything, less than three feet would _be courting disaster, and he did not think the board would be justified in allowing. the lake to reach that level and flood but farm

lands, to satisfy those who wanted a change. It was agreed that unless the conditions became abnormal, the cutting of the outlet at the place desired by the fishermen could not be attempted before next winter. The board decided to have ascertained the cost of cutting the outlet over a period of years, also that the lake committee should make an inspection, before the board reached a decision on the query from the department. The lake committee was also given authority to have the outlet opened before next meeting, if it considered it advisable to do so.