The Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society has a series of letters from Mr Huntly Campbell Gordon of Five Mile (Koo Wee Rup North - one of Carlo's Village Settlements) written from around 1911 to 1916. He was a prolific letter writer to the State Rivers & Water Supply Commission, his local MLA, Mr Keast and others. Mr Gordon kept copies of his letters and the replies and was on many local committees. For example, in 1911 he was writing on behalf on the Five Mile Progress Association and recorded the minutes of the Cora Lynn Progress Association, in 1913 he was writing on the flooded condition of the Five Mile School, in 1915 he recorded the minutes of the Koo Wee Rup Drainage Association and sent letters on their behalf.
His correspondence reflects the reality of living on the Swamp as opposed to the theories that the drain works are sufficient and in this letter of November 21, 1913 he was very critical of Carlo Catani. This is a rare criticism of Carlo.
Koo Wee Rup
21st November 13
Farmers at Koo Wee Rup are taking exception to the remarks which Mr Catani is reported to have made concerning the damage done by the recent floods. Mr Catani said that the statements were greatly exaggerated, about the losses sustained. As a matter of fact, the Chief Engineer for Public Works knows next to nothing about the matter and the opinion is freely expressed that he is endeavouring to hide the imperfections of his own drainage scheme, by making light of the damage done.
It is ridiculous for Mr Catani to say that only 200 acres of potatoes were harmed, for four hundred would have been nearer the mark. Then oats, barley, wheat, carrots, peas , onions and fodder crops suffered and are still suffering through the soakage....
Mr Catani's remarks which Mr Gordon objected to were published in The Age on November 17, 1913.
The Age November 17, 1913
The Age followed up with this report on November 22 - obviously taken from Mr Gordon's letter.
The Age November 22, 1913
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