ELOOD PROTECTION IN CLUTHA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17576, 18 March 1919, Page 3

ELOOD PROTECTION IN CLUTHA.

A meeting of delegates from local bodies 'interested in flood protective works was held in the Balclutha Borough Chambers on Friday morning, the principal business being to hear Mr A* & M&lcom's report. Thero were present: Messrs John Moaley (Stirling, in the' chair), A. North, T. -Maginness (dutha Council), T. S. Cairns, D. P. Clements, R. Aitchison (Kaitangata Borough), T. Bransgrove (Otanomomo; River and Drainage Board), R» Ren:ton (Incmdutha River and Drainage Board), D. Boyd (Bruce County Council), GL W. Wood, and H. Suneon (Jialclutha Borough), and A. S. Malcohn, MJ?., Mr Malcolm reported on hie visit to Wellington to discuss flood protective matters with the Acting Prime Minister and, the Ministers of Lands and Public Works. His report was on the lines of an interview with him on his return from Wellington, and which wae published in. the Otago Daily Times on March 4, being, in effect, tjiat the Cabinet was considering the proposal of the, local bodies that the Government should appoint an expert commission to report on one comprehensive protective scheme for the whole area on the Molyneux fiat affected by flood. Mr Cairns moved, end Mr Maginness seconded, and it was carried—" That this meeting of various local bodies assembled, after hearing Mr Malcolm's report, urge the Minister by telegram to try'liia utmost to immediately get a commission of three of the most efficient engineers to carry out the scheme in accordance with previous resolution." Mr Malcolm said he had suggested to the Government that the following engineers, bo appointed:—Mr Thompson (Government drainage engineer, Mr Furkert (chief engineer, Public Works Department), and Mr Hay (a private engineer). Mr Malcolm spoko highly of the qualifications of the above-named gentlemen. A good deal of the initial work had already been done. For six months past the - Government engineers had been surveying the fiver levels and tabulating data. Nobody knew that the Government had been taking this action.

Since the meeting was held the town clerk of Balclutha has received the following telegram from the Acting Prime Minister: —"I will_ endeavour to have the question of commission to consider flood protection work settled a* next meeting of the Cabinet, probably on Tuesday"