COUNCIL TAKES UP PROBLEM

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1947, Page 4

COUNCIL TAKES UP PROBLEM

The position with regard to the Manawatu River loop was kocoming serious, and it was vital to Foxton's industries and health that something be done about it,. said Cr. S. G. R. Small at a meeting of the. Foxton Borough Couneii on Monday night. "I have discussed the matter with various people — doctors, the management of N.Z. Woolpack and T»extiles, Ltd., employees and fishermen," continued Mr. Small. "The water in the loop? pollqted by refuse and water from the main drain, is stagnating. Fishermen assure me that the loop is tidal only to Robinson's Bend ncw, and though there is a rise and fall in the balance of the loop there is no flushing. We have the stripping mill out of action owing to the state of the water and, if anything, the position js getting progressively worse." The Public Works Department had taken away the flushing system and' the so.oner a dep.uta.tion waited on Mr. Semple, the better, continued Mr. Small, adding that the Health Department was cognisant of the position and would help all it could. He considered it was the council's job to take the matter up. "I think it is ,a pity that the flax workers had to start the ball rolling," said Cr. D. Ellwood. "The matter should have been taken up months ago when it was first mooted.that there would be trouble with the water used at the mill. Now we have 100 men out of work as a result, and a stop work meeting was held today to further discuss the position. I think the Mayor should call a public meeting and when the proposed d^putation goes to Wellington, T hope there will be some straight talking. The Government has cut off the river past Foxton and it had better do something about 'the menace it has caused in so doihg," continued Cr. Ellwood, adding that it might be better if Mr. Semple sent up his bulldojzers to fill in the 1'agoon altogether and convert it into agricultural land. Mr. H. H. Podmore said that the couneii had taken action long before the flax workers were fjrced :o. The matter was up for discus3ion at the previous meeting of the council. There was urger.cy now and he did not think time should be wasted on a public meeting, but a deputation should go to Wellington :ight away. Crs. Titcombe and Small then moved that a conference of all interested parties be callecl at an early date to arrange a deputation ;o wait on the Minister in conneciiion with the loop.