WAIRAU FLOODS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 9

WAIRAU FLOODS.

PLEA FOR GOVERNMENT AID

11 i 6 er M' o Wairau Plain, in which tho town of Blenheim is situated, has always been subject to scvero floo'ds, irom the Opawa and Wairau Rivers, jvincn cause very heavy damage to Hocks and lords, crops, and other property, oven within the borough. There nre , sc , vora ' river boards, which have orocted protective works, but it is vory doubtful whether all of these works have had a good effect on tho general position, each section being designed individually to protect its particular area. ■ Lately there have been Eevero floods, and the protcctivo works j? ro protect, with tho result that heavy lossos have been suffered. A deputation from local bodies in tho district waited upon tho Minister of Public Works (tho Hon. W. Fraser) and tho Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Eussell) yesterday to ask for relief. From Mr. Fraser thoy asked for monetary aid to assist in repairing flood damage to embankments and such works. Altogether an expenditure of somo £12,000 may bo necessary, but .-£SOOO would be useful for urgent_ works now. Thoy asked tho _ Minister . of Internal Affairs for assistance in the matter of organisation for tho better control of the rivers.

Mr. Frasor said that he could not imdortako to promiso what ho would do, or what nionoy ho could spend, bccauso the moneys availablo wore very 6trictly limited. Ho was willing to help, however, but ho must first got a report from the district engineer or somo other Public Works engineer. On Tecoipt of this' report ho would consider tlw matter fully, and see what it was possible for him to do. He would not make any definite promiso at present. ■

Mr. Russell said that some time ago the Intornal Affairs Department urged the soveral river boards to combine to form a central or controlling river board to deal comprehensively with the w'holo flood problem. At a, meeting held a resolution was carried that 110 such action bo taken. Tho position at present therefore was that until tliat resolution was rescinded, and a decision made in favour of somo controlling authority being constituted, ho could do nothing. If tlmt wero done, and a resolution passed also asking him fco sot up a commission to report on the whole river trouble ho could consider the request.