GORE

Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 18

GORE

FLOODING IN McNAB DISTRICT SCHEME TO STRAIGHTEN STREAMS A suggestion that the Public Works Department be asked to straighten the Waikaka stream from McNab to where it joins the Mataura river, and Taylor’s creek from Pukerau to where it joins the Waikaka stream, was made by Mr C. R. B. Wilkinson at the annual meeting of the Gore Chamber of Commerce. Mr Wilkinson said that both streams flooded badly and if they were straightened out they would carry three times the water without flooding. This would be of benefit to the borough and the Southland County Council as well as to the farmers through whose properties the streams flowed. Mr G. W. Whittingham, a member of the Southland County Council, who was asked to express his opinion on the matter, said that the Government and the county had spent a big amount of money in removing willows from the Waikaka stream from McNab to the East. Gore school and the Government considered it had done enough. So far as the County Council was concerned, it was not its policy to spend money for the benefit of private properly. Mr Whittingham said that the Government had its hands fairly full at the present time and he understood that the next job to be done by the Public Works Department was the tar-sealing of the Gore-Te Anau main highway. .On the recommendation of Mr Wilkinson, it was decided to approach Mr T. L. Macdonald, M.P., with a view to seeing what likelihood there was of the Government giving the matter consideration. The meeting was presided over by Mr O. J. Howells, and there was a big attendance of members. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr R. A. Wallis; vice-president, Mr W. F. Reynolds; committee, Messrs H. H. Doughty, A. B. Caverhill, J. Y. Allan, O. J. Howells, W. Scobie, W. B. Johnston, R. Fisher, H. F. Wilson, W. D. Shelton, H. A. Price, R. S. Green, G. W. Whittingham and T. L. Macdonald; auditor, Mr W. Gee; delegate to the Southland Progress League, Mr R. A. Wallis. Mr A. E. White was elected a member of the chamber. Reference to the illness of Mr D. L. Poppelwell was made by the president, Mr Wallis, who said that Mr Poppelwell had been a member of the chamber since its inception and was its first president. It was well-known that Mr Poppelwell had contributed in no small measure to the progress of the town and district. On the suggestion of Mr Wallis it was decided to write to Mr Poppelwell wishing him a speedy and complete recovery to good health.