OLD PROMISES REVIVED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1471, 20 June 1912, Page 3

OLD PROMISES REVIVED.

THE- WAIRAU RIVER

GRANT TO THE HARBOUR HOARD. Promises made by former Ministers were recalled yesterday by a deputation from tha Wairau Harbour Board, /which waited upon the Hon. G. Laurenson (Minister for Marine). Thb members of the deputation were: Messrs. W. Macey (chairman of the Wairau Harbour Board), L. .Grif- 1 fiths (cx-chairinan), .and J. J. Corry, Mayor of Blenheim.

Mr. Macey explained that his board desired to make a cut -which would afford a new outlet for the Wairau River. The work would not only be an assistance- to navigation, but would avert flooding of the lands adjoining the river. Plaits and specifications of tlio work, which was estimated to cost, ,£3BOO, had been prepared by Mr. R. W Ifolni3s (enginesr-in-ohief to the Public Works Department). A, deputation to Mr. Millar some years ago had been informed that the Government could do nothing to. assist the board financially, as the latter body had no funds of its own. Mr. Millar had added, however, that he would provide a dredge ,if the board undertook the work of makiiig the cut. Since, then the board had struck a special ■ harbour rate of Gd. per ton, on cargo, and had accumulated about .£I6OO. Nothing further "was done until about twelve months ago, when a serious flood occurred. Thb board then sent a second deputation to ' the then Minister for Marine, who was quite ill sympathy with the request it. made for a. grant, of 1500.* Subsequently the deputation interviewed Sir James Carroll (then Acting-Prime Minister), and ho i promised to assist in obtaining the grant of ,£ISOO. Recently, Marlborough had been visited by Messrs. Macdonald, Ell, and Colvin, and each of theso Minisers thought it only right and proper that the promise mado by former Jlinisters should be carried out.

Mr. Griffiths emphasised the contention that the proposed work would do a great deal to prevent floods. Had the new cut been opened thrbe years ago, be said, thousands of pounds would have been saved.' • Opening the mouth of . the river would do more good than raising the bauks of tho ripper reaches and leaving the bed of the river to rise to the level of the surrounding country. Mr. . Corrv declared that the matter waa very urgent, and submitted that local residents, having .spent something like .£IOO,OOO during the last forty years, in river conservation, were entitled to 60ma consideration. • . Mr. Laurenson agreed with the deputation that it would be a wise policy to clear the mouth of tho rivor, and said that he was in favour of £ranting_ tho request, and would lay it betoro Cabinet. The proposed basis ot' contribution was the best jn which the Government could make grants to local bodies— that of a pound for pound subsidy. He hoped to advice the member for the district as to the decision of Cabinet during the follow'V Macev stilted that his board desired 'to obtain control of a section of foreshore, and life Minister promised that the application would receive immediate consideration.