RIVER PROTECTION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3665, 14 July 1927, Page 3

RIVER PROTECTION

MINISTER DEPUTATIONISED

A combined deputation from the Manawatu-Oroua River Board and the Manawatu Drainage Board waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. R. F. Bollard) at Wellington yesterday. Mr. .J. Linklater, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said that the settlers in the district greatly appreciated, what had already been done by the Government, but the question now arose as to who was to be responsible for the future maintenance of the stopbanks. It was desired that the Government should delegate the powers to the Power Board until such time as it was decided what, body would have complete control. It was also desired that a subsidy of £ for £ should be granted up to £IOO. Mr. P. J. Small said that . the Drainage Board was quite willing to contribute its share of the cost, allhough the stop-banks wore really outside its district.

Mr. M. A. Eliott said that it would be better to ’spend a small amount of money at the present time than to force a big expenditure later on. The Minister, in reply, stated that there was no question that something would have to be done, and he would ask the officers of his Department to go into the matter with the Public Works Department.