THE DRAINAGE OF LAKE KAITANGATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1387, 29 June 1878, Page 10

THE DRAINAGE OF LAKE KAITANGATA.

A large and influential public meeting was held on the 22nd, at Jenkins's Bridge Hotel, Kaitangata, to take steps for further drainage works, &c. Mr D. Dunn occupied the chair, and briefly stated the object of the meeting It had been called by the Drainage Committee, and he apologised for the absence of the Secretary, Mr Anderson, and Mr Landels. A. report nad been made by Mr Blair on the method of drainage of the Lake. Mr Stoddart thought thut it was useless to waste the time of the meeting:. The Bruce County Council wns the proper body to have control, and he moved"That in the opinion of this meeting, tho Bruce County Council is thn Droper body to have control of the Kaitangata and Tuakitoto Lakes. That the Government do mged to vest the lakts in the Council, upon condition that tho Council under.aka at once to erect a sufficient lock, and to straighten and deepen, the Kaitangata Creek, and to constr act wha'. works | may iv future bo found necessary fur the protection of property." ' Mr Hislop asked tho Chairman if it would be for the benefit of the country at large to vest it in the Council. There would bo a large amount of land reclaimed, and the Council might only spend a portion of the revenue acer ing in the district, and reserve a largo portion for other purposes. The Chairman, in reply, **\A it would bo for the benefit of the community if the Lake waa vested in the Bruce County Council. Mr Petiub said that he was very glad to see such a large and influential number meeting together, and taking an interect in the drainage of the Lake. He had an interest of 19 years' experience, and he knew that the water could be kept off. There was more loss in one year than what 'would embank the whole of the Lakes. The County Council was in its infancy, but he was proud that he was a member. It was a model Council, and he would endeavour to keep it such. If the Like- wero vested in the County Council it would bo for tho benefit of the community. The resolution that had been proposed, w«s the first step, and the Council know that it wou'd be a remunerative nffair. It rested with the people whether they vested it in the Bruce Council, and ho was glad to boo the meeting so unanimous Mr H. Clark said th»t'he believed the Council were not at all anxious to have the Lakes vested in them, but he bili- ved that it was tho desire of tho people here for that boHy to take charge of the Lakes and keeu them at the summer level. Tne Government may have an idei that the Counci 1 were inxious to take over the Lakes. The mattor was laid before the Hon J. Micandrew and it was thought the Council was tho proper body to tako charge of tho Lnkes and erect, locks Mr BUir made out a, report, and it would cost between £400 and £500. As far as he could understand, the feelintr was to keep the Lakes at the summer love!, and the erection of a lonk would have that effect. The Government, desired (in a reply to a letter of tho Council, asking the Lakes to be vested in the Council) to h iv* o'ans of a d rain an o scheme, which the Council would adop*. and a guirarten that the proposed scheme would be cirripd out-. He.au Chairm»n of tho Bruce County Council wrote, asking the Government whut scheme the Government would euirgest. No reply had yet b?en received. The Govo) nment would no doubt after such i a resolution as that proposed being carried, and it being the wish of the people, vest the Lakes in the Council. The Government could not now have an idea that it is t*)e wish of the residents. The question was one of the greatest importance, and it will be necessary for action to be at once taken as it was only at one season of the yea- the work could be done Mr j. P. Maitlakd said that comiDg in so late he h<wl nnt heard s»ll that had been paid. Ho had heard Mr H. Clark, and ho thought if there was any chance of anyone present disagreeing with the proposodlrcsolution he would like to hear what they had to tay. The resolution met with his approval, and h° wou'd support it earnei-tly. He hud thought a great deal over the matter, and the nece sary steps that Bhould bo taken to get out of the difficulty. A great advantage would be derived by vesting tho Lakes in the Council. Some guarantea would be asked by the Government, as to "carrying out the method Ihe Council would adopt for drainate and the improvements to be proposed. In the event of the Council taking over the Lakes that body should be invested with special powers of borrowing on the security of the Lakes, money so obtained to be employed in making the nece°sarv improvements. Ha was very clad to hear Mr Clark express tho sentimonts he Hid. If tho Government introduced ft Bill there would be very little doubt of its passing. A pound spent this year might save £100 a year after. He ai? rood fully with the resolution, which Swould strengthen the Council, and was the very best course that could bo taken. MrM'FAiiiiAifK approved of what tbe former speakers hai said, and said he would strongly support tbe resolution proposed. On the resolution beirg put to tho meeting by the Chairman, it was carried unanimously. Mr Maitlakd suggested that a memorial embodying the result and wishes of the meeting should be submitted to tha setters for signatur. s, and be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works, and that Messrs Stoddard, Aitcheson, Robertson, Morrison, Watt, ard Petrie, should ''o a Committee to prepare the memorial md procure signatures. Tho Committoe to have power to add tn thpir number. This suggestion wiv approved. The Ciiaiiiman jioniU'd out thut the old lock was obstructing the course of thel water and the banks weie ajljbting \vaßh_ed away, He asked what could.

be done to remove tbe timber (rom the mouth of tbe creek. . Mr Petrie suggested that the settlers should take steps to remove the lock, and then when the taken were vested in the Council, the costs that had been incurred would be reimbursed. Mr Maitland suggested a subscription from the settlers. Mr Joseph Bobkrtson said as a member of the Drainage Committee, th.t the Committee should call for t<m<i ers for removing the lock at once, and afterwards dispose of the material. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceed ngs.