SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 15

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA New River Trust The first meeting of the hewly-con-stituted Lower Clutha River Trust was held at Balclutha yesterday. The trust incorporates the Clutha, Matau* Otahomomo, and Inch Clutha River and Drainage Boards, which cease to function from to-day. Members of the new board present yesterday "were Messrs P. Keller (district engineer, Public Works Department), P. Dippie (Otanomomo subdivision). J. F. Bell (Inch Clutha subdivision), J. R. Copland (Balclutha Borough Council), W. H, S. Willocks (Matau subdivision), J. G. Weir and A. A. Jensen (Government nominees). The proclamation constituting the new board was read by Mr H. H.Lyall and Mr Keller was appointed chairman. The chairman congratulated members and the districts concerned on the amalgamation of their various interests, and said he thought the new board would be able to work smoothly and in the interests of the very valuable country bordering the two branches of the Molyneux River traversing the lower valley to the sea. There was no reason why their business should not be conducted smoothly and without heart-burnings of any kind. Their most important work, he took it, would be to see to the protection of the lower lands from flood damage, and he thought that they should before long consider the inauguration of a major scheme of flood protective works. . Members were agreed that the chairman's ideas on the subject were sound, and that something should be done in the direction indicated before long. They had enjoyed immunity from serious floods for some considerable time, but it was stated that this state of affairs could not be expected to continue for all time. Mr H. H. Lyall was appointed secretary of the new board, the bankers to be the Bank of New Zealand, and the solicitor Mr J. T. Walter. Other matters of minor importance were attended to- - It was: stated that the river steamer Clutha would in future be run under the direction of the new board., and that a commission would investigate the affairs of the Clutha River Board in relation to the running of the steamer, so as to enable the commission to decide as to the continuance of the river service or otherwise. It is understood that it will ba fully six months before sufficient data has been collected to enable the commission to sit and take evidence. Measles Outbreak A number of cases of measles have occurred among children locally. At Kaitangata the outbreak has been more severe, and the usual school break-up concert there was cancelled in consequence, but a very successful concert, organised at the last minute in aid of the health camp, was held. The health camp fund, the Mayor (Mr Fenton) stated, would benefit to the extent of £lO. Lawn Tennis Waiwera won the B Grade match against Balclutha B played on the Balclutha courts on Saturday by 14 set* to 2 sets. ,