DRAINING THE ZUIDER ZEE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 8 November 1901, Page 4

DRAINING THE ZUIDER ZEE.

The project of draining the Zuidcr Zee is by no means a new one but the announcement that a Bill for the purpose will bo probably be introduced in the Dutch Parliament this session by the Ministcr]of Waterstaat has rovived interest in the scheme. The plan suggested, according to a London papor, is to first enclose, and then gradually reclaim, tho great shallow sea which cuts such a slice out of Holland's territory. Tho first strp will be to build a dam acros3 tho mouth of the Zuider Zee, with sluices through which the water can bo ejected by means of steam pumps-, The building of the dam is expected to take fully nine years. After tho North Sea has been shut out two areas of land will be reclaimed in tho southwestern corner of the inclosure. The first area, comprising eighty-three aDd a half square miles, will be dry and ready for sale in tho fourteenth year of the work and the second area, comprising square miles, in the eighteenth year from the commencement of the dam. The expenditure will be on a scale proportionately great, the estimated cost being amount by loans, and to pay off interest and principal by an annual increase of £166,667 in the Budget, during a maximum period of sixty years. A sum of .£375,000 will be allotted as compensation to the Zuider Zee fishermen, whoso industry, a large and thriving one, will be killed by the drainage scheme. It appears there are eighteen fishing villages round tho coast of the Zuider Zee* representing about 3000 fishermen, The"

stoppage of the fisheries will represent a yearly loss of about two million florins, unless the fishermen take to deep-sea fishing. With a view to helping them to co so it is recommended that the Government should supplement the compensation grant with new boats and tackle, for the Zuider Zee boats cannot be used on the high seas.