RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, 19 September 1895, Page 2

RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

TO THE EDITOK OF THE MANAWATU HEBALD. Sir, — As the time is very opportune I ask your favour for space for a few more lines on " river improvement and increase of land values " by giving better facilities for the atorm water to get away quicker, and thereby improve the river. I am informed the Mukaka River Board has passed away, could not finance the protective works. With your kind permission I would roughly sketch out a financial lift over the difficulty. The straightening of the river by a cut that I suggested in my previous letters, would run through 9200 acres of the Motoa Estate, the property of the New Zealand Bank, and I take it part of the security held by the New Zealand Govern* men!) for the millions guaranteed. Now is a favourable time for an . Association to form of the settlers backing on to tha Motoa Estate nearly ail round it, and any other thxt would join up to a necessary number fco ensure success. The cash necessary to purchase and improve the property I doubt not could be got at 5 per cent, from the 11 Advance to Settlers Fund." There will be 0000 acres to drain off into 50 or 100 acre sections, say 200 acres for the cut, leaving 180 60 acre sections or 90 100 acre sections, not. B^.bad: base -^operatio^ oqnjtt^e^^ ing the richness of the* loii whiaa. drained. The present .drains could no doubt be utilized; bub' it would be wlsfe* to bring the whole area under a welldesigned system converging on to the main cut. The dredges and . draining machines now procurable would enable the necessary work of such magnitude to be done well, and at no great e^gence.* considering the benefits that would accrue to -all in the immediate neighbourhood, and' to alt 'those interested ; in $ th^J land subject to floods, and I doubt not the betterment principle " could be so applied that ajlwho. benefltted direct or indirect woufd nelp contribute to the expense. I just start the financial aspect of the subject. The district undoubtably requires improving, now is the time to move in the matter. Trust, f ing some abler pen than mine will 1 take up the subject. I am, &c, . R. G. Knight. Wellington, Sept. 16th, 1895.