MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2705, 8 March 1924, Page 2

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

PREPARING FOR BIG SCHEME.

The Manawatu-Oroun River Board met at Palmerston North on Thursday, when there were present: Messrs R. T. Bell (chairman), N. Neilsen, H. Akers, B. G. Gower, H. Wilton, L. McDonald, and M. P. Anderson. The chairman remarked that it had not yet been possible for a deputation to wait on the Minister in reference to securing Government assistance towards carrying out I heir scheme for Hood protection in the Oroun, Kairanga, Makerua, Moutoa and Koputuroa districts. The Minister had required further information and the hoard’s engineer had been instructed to supply all available information to Mr Furkert, chief Public Works engineer, 'flic chairman mentioned also that he had arranged with Mr J. A. Nash M.P., for the Prime Minister to bo in attendance when the deputation from the hoard ultimately waited on I lie Minister. This was most desirable. he stated for the magnitude of (he scheme and its vital importance to the areas affected warranted it claiming the attention of the highest, authorities. He assured the members of the board that the deputation would be arranged at the earliest possible moment.

The engineer (Air F. C. Hav) reported upon the. detailed plans and specifications of the proposed large river protection scheme, which lie. had drawn up as part of his propositi to supply exhaustive data io British and American firms manufacturing the machinery which the hoard would require, should the ratepayers sanction the loan. His object bad been, he said, to supply (he leading manufacturers of the world with all possible information so that they could send in quotations. knowing exactly wlmt was best suited to the needs of the board. Already there were indications that certain of the more important plant could be secured at a most reasonable figure. His action in this regard was somewhat of an innovation, but it would enable the board to have some accurate idea, of the cost, operation and suitability of the plant available before Die loan was put to the ratepayers. Then, if’ the loan was sanctioned, they could act at once, and cable to the firms offering the best terms, thus saving time and money. In detail. lie explained the exhaustive inquiries which he had made. The chairman congratulated the engineer on his energy and resource in tailing this line of notion, on-iho-finent of which wo-- placed on Die minute hook. McDonald and Anderson upjiorted the chairman in expressing approval of the action ot the . ngincer. the latter commenting that have the quotations from over-M-a- before the hoard, prior to going to tlie ratepayers would vastly strengthen their position.