COUNCILLORS RESENTFUL

Chronicle (Levin), 10 December 1947, Page 3

COUNCILLORS RESENTFUL

MINISTER FAILS TO REPLY TO REPRESENTATIONS The Foxton Borough Council fears an epidemic froni the polluted state of the Manawatu River loop, and has decided to ask the Minister of Health to carry out an imme'diate inspeetion. Discussing the matter at a meeting of the council on Monday'evening, members were resentful of the fact that the Minister of Works had not replied to the council's representations, and instructed the town clerk, Mr. W. Trueman, to again take the matter up with him. Reporting to the meeting, the town clerk said that as instructed at the previous meeting, he had telephoned the private secretary to the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple, at 11 a.m. on November 11, and after advising the council's concern about the state of the loop, asked what remedial steps were being taken. He was advise'd that he would receive a telephone message later. No further communication was received up to November 17. However, he had again communicated with the Minister's office and pointed out the seriousness of the position locally, and asked what the Minister proposed doing. So far he had not received any reply. The Mayor, Mr. H. H. Podmore, safd that it was most unusual not to receive a reply from the Minister. Cr. E. A. Field ' stated that he was most concerned that the eommunications to the Minister had been ignored and said he took strong exception to it. Cr. Field was of the opinion that there was a very definite danger from the loop, and said that infection came from a place such as that. He yent on to say that if the council could not get any satisfaction from the Minister of Works, it should sen'd a deputation to Wellington and demand that something be done. Cr. Field moved that a further telegram be sent to the Minister, demanding a reply to the Foxton Borough Council's representations. The resolution was carried and Cr. Field moved a further resolution to the effect that the Minister of Health be a'dvised that the council was vitally concerned at the risk of an epidemic from the loop, and that Miss Howard be asked to contact the Minister of Works on the matter and visit Foxton to carry out an inspeetion. It was decided to forward copies of all coiTespondence to Mr. M. H. Oram, M.P., and to solicit his cooperation in the mattjer. l m