FLOOD PREVENTION.

Mataura Ensign, 22 April 1913, Page 5

FLOOD PREVENTION.

—, o DEPUTATION TO TIE COUNCIL. repout io !■.:■• stained. A f!".i)ut..tioa c;:;: .'-ling of Messrs .Tax. Hoil'iMl, K. W-.-.Yu.i, |>. K. Cullen, J. Brownlio. i!. J. '/jutt. C. Steans, T. Quin, R. L. Beg-. 1,. r-'isher and R. Rodger waited. ir .. : .':«, Borough Council last evening "i:h t'.i-o object of urging \v-),\ it r''c :'e;rs,saty for l.rotective mi;-ks being . -vrted in the town to pivvi.il :i it, ii;: > .u-o of tho recent di.sastrou.-. !i:,)J.

Mr Jas. Holland stittrd that tho deputation was npn sent;live of tho ratepayers, owner.-? and tenants of Gore. It was that the matter of erection of protective works 'was an urgent one. The importance of tho town; demanded that immediate steps be, taken to insure the town from similar visitations to that which lately befel it. Br F. Wallis said there could bo no two ways regarding the urgency of tho matter, 'and it was the duty of tho Council to give it immediate considered tion. Tho bridges were possibly partially tho cause of the flood and the water was 3ft lOin lower below the bridges than above them which proved that the water must have banked up. Mr Faitt stated that ian idea had got ia.lK>ut that the west side of the river wanted protection works at the expense of the east side, but this was quite' erroneous. Tt would bo 'necessary to obtain the services of a competent engineer to report on the best method to adopt. Mr Fisiher said that though tho protective works might cost £IOOO or £2OOO, this was ia small matter when compared with the safety of the town. The Mayor, in replying to the deputation, said that he quite recognised that protective works were a necessity. It would 1 be necessary to procure the services 'of a competent engineer, 9b that whatever work was dono would be effective, otherwise the town would be living in a false sense of security. He had good reason to believe that if a definite scheme were drawn up and the proba.ble cost of the"work ascertained, a subsidy would be granted by the Government. He (tho speaker) had been over the ground recently, and considered that about one mile of protection would bo nece-sary on tho west side, with about one mile on the east, but alwut half of the latter would only require to be of light construction. He thought that ho could at least promise that the Council would obtain) a comprehensive report on the whole matter. The deputation then thanked the Council and withdrew.

The following resolution was then moved by the Mayor, "That the mntter of taking thq necessary steps to erect flood protective works be referred to the Works Committee with power to employ such competent authority as may bo deemed necessary, and that a comprehensive report as to tho best methods and probable cost of dealing with the matter bo drawn up. Councillor Martin seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

THE RELIEF FUND. Already acknowledged) ... £s62 0 6 A SympsitJiiser, GreenvaLe 15 0 0 £377 0 6 Members of the Ladies' Committee which has in 'hand tlie distribution of clothes to those who suffered by the flood will attend at the Town Hal! on Thursday from three to five o'clock and on Saturday at the same hour for the last time. It may bo stated that clothes will be supplied to deserving cases in' response to letter or will be given to messengers if those who require them cannot apply personally. The supply of apparel was not equal'to the demand yesterday. Several families had all their clothes and linen washed away and to meet these cases the committee " appeals for assistance in donations of clothes, especially men's underwear and children's garments.