Public Meeting at Morven.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 April 1902, Page 3

Public Meeting at Morven.

(from our own correspondent.)

At a public meeting held on Thursday, afternoon to consider the question of the late floods and suggest a remedy, so as to prevent a recurrence of the damage done, there were between twenty an Q thirty settlers present. Mr John Manchester was voted to the chair, and read the following petition ; To the Hon. the Minister of Lands.

We, the undersigned landholders and residents on both sides of the Waibao ■river and on the Waikakahi estate, beg to bring under your notice the , very serious damage we have sustained to our property by the recent destructive floods, respectfully iC'iueat that yoor Government will ex use such protective works to be construe ed as, will safeguard our interests agy,;a&t future damage, as the

repetition of a flood like the last would mean ruin to toe district from the following causes:—l. The Wuihao r'Ver having become choked up with gorsc, has the effect of throwing toe flood waters on to the outer banks from si le to side, causing great scouring and overflows, »t one low .point almost completely breaking over. Should it do so it will destroy from twenty to thirty of the most valuable farms in New Zealand. 2. The large quantity t of water flowing clown several gullies from the hieh lands on the Waikakahi estate to the low laud without any defined channel t» lake it out to sea, spreads out over the whole Morven district, doing serious damage te ! farms, dwelling houses, and stores in and | around the township, also to the railway station. The railway line causes much damage by damming back the water, which has no outlet until it outs through j the line and makes an opening for itself. Trusting the matter will receive from the Government the attention which its importance dem md«, your petitioners will ever pray, eto. •

On the motion of Mr Bradshaw, seconded by Mr Smith, the petition was adopted. It was further resolved that copies of the petition be handed to Messrs Manchester, D. Smith, and Bradshaw to receive as many signatures as possible, *On the motion of Mr Beer, the following resolutions were passed ; —l. That this meeting respectfully requests the Minister of Lands to send, as soon as possible, some competent person to inspect the damage by the late flood in the Waihao river, also to see what steps can be taken to prevent the surrounding lands from being washed away, and in some cases the settlers’ houses. 2. That he now obtain all other local information, with a view to prevent the recurrence of damage from floods. Mr Beer also suggested that the chairman forward the petition and resolution to Major Steward, M.H.R., at his earliest convenience.

Mr Manchester pointed out that, a deputation should meet the Minister and Engineer on their arrival and conduct them over the ground, pointing out what specially required attending to.

A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.