Public Works

WANTS OF KANGAROO ISLAND.

[1883]  A large and an influential meeting of residents of Kangaroo Island was held at Mr. W. Daw's house, Cygnet River, on Thursday, June 28, to consider the wants of the island. Mr. Daw was voted to the chair, and said being an old resident he desired to see all the land taken up, and that the settlers should prosper. He would, with this view, be ready at any time to give his advice and assistance to any desiring them. 

Jetty accommodation was much needed on the island. A memorial had been sent to head quarters for a jetty at Maxwell, and he had no objection to it because if erected it would benefit selectors in the North Gap Ranges. A jetty had also been asked for at Queensclifie, and he was not against it, but certainly none had a better right to a jetty than Brownlow, because such a structure there would accommodate the greatest number of people, and because two-thirds of the cereals grown must come to Brownlow for shipment. Another cogent reason was that there was plenty of fresh water at Brownlow, and it also had a level road. They did not require an expensive structure, but as the trade in increased so might the jetty be enlarged or lengthened. He regretted to say that owing to the unusually heavy rainfall last month, there would not be so large an average of grain as was previously anticipated. Another thing they greatly needed was a State school, not only for the present children but also the rising generation. Then the Cemetery-road should be placed on the schedule of main lines, and a police-trooper should be stationed there as soon as quarters had been erected. The public school should be erected on the Government reserve adjoining section 167, as that was the most suitable spot. With respect to the conservation of water, although they had plenty now it was not always so. In his opinion if the Government were to sell the reservoir and apply the proceeds to floodgates below the bridge ever Cygnet River, that would give a never-ceasing supply and would be a great boon to the island. Farmers coming from east, west, and south with heavily laden teams could always get fresh water there. 

Mr. Maley proposed that a jetty should be constructed at Brownlow because it would benefit the greatest number of people. If a jetty were erected at Kingscote or Queenscliffe (the latter a private township) it would only benefit a few. The post-office and other Government buildings should be erected on the reserve. Mr. L. E. Willims seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 

Mr. Garlick, surveyor, said, so far as he could see a jetty at Brownlow would benefit the greatest number, and there was a large quantity of land at the back of it. It was then proposed and seconded that the jetty be constructed at the north end of Brownlow, where less than half a mile should give a sufficient depth of water for any boat now trading to the island, and it was recommended that the Marine Board on their visit to the island should be shown the place. The motion was carried. 

On the motion of Mr. Northcote, seconded by Mr. T. Magarey, it was decided that a committee should be formed at once to carry out the views of the meeting. Mr. G. Kinch proposed, and Mr. Northcote seconded, that the Government be requested to construct the jetty in time for the coming harvest, and this was unanimously agreed to. It was decided further that the committee should ask the Government to place the road between sections 168, 169,44, and 62, running north-west to Smith Bay, on the schedule of main roads. 

The following committee was appointed to carry out the views of the meeting :—Messrs. Hull, Maley, A. Daw, Gundell, Garlick, G. Kinch, J. W. Daw, Northcote, Reeves, and A. Shaw, M.D. (hon. secretary). Mr. Migon proposed that the three-chain road now being cleared along sections 49, 58, and 57 be continued through Brownlow township. Mr. A. Daw seconded, and the motion was agreed to. The thanks of the meeting were accorded to Messrs. Downer, M.P., and Newland, M. P., for pre senting the memorial to the Government, and for their general courtesy and attention. The necessity of better postal facilities was urged, the present delay in the arrival of mails being very inconvenient and annoying. A vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Daw for the use of the room and for presiding, which having been acknowledged, a vote of thanks was accorded to the press and the meeting terminated.