MANAWATU RIVER

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3949, 30 May 1929, Page 2

MANAWATU RIVER

MODIFIED SCHEME

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY - WANTED. Seeking- a substantial 'Government subsidy in connection Avith the Manawatu-Oroua ‘River improvement scheme, representatives of various local bodies in the -Ma-na-wntu waited on the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) and the Minister of -Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom) yesterday. Mr. ■ .J. Link la ter, ALP., who introduced the deputation, explained that the Makerua Drainage Board iiad already banked miles of river and obviated the flood menace to a very great extent. The result was that closer settlement had gone ahead rapidly. The Minister of Lands travelled over the area -a few months ago and no doubt he would agree that the land an the area which needed protection was. of the very highest quality. In 192 G a commission sat in Palmerston N. and took extensive evidence ' with regard to a major river scheme, • which was estimated to cost £450,000. The evidence they culled was' in; the. direction of proving, among oilier things, to wlmt extent the scheme Avould be of benefit to the railways in that area, the extent to which the scheme Avould lessen the flood dnimoge demands of settlers, and what additional '.population would the lands carry if properly protected. After extensive and lengthy sittings, they came to the conclusion that the Government was entitled to subsidise, to the extent of £201,000, towards the work. lIoAveA-er, since then the board had decided that the burden of the major scheimie would be too heavy an expeuse for the ratepayers of the Manawatu-Oroua. district, and liad decided upon Avhat was called the modified schejme, Avliic-ih would cost approximately £300,000. It was claimed by its promoters to be a scheme that would give very great relief to the low-lying- areas of AlauaAvatu. The idea was to not -only hqnlk the. river, but. to provide an overflow channel and construct a cut direct to sea, which would lessen the distance to sea by some 20 miles. Those who Avere in a position to judge said that it Avas imperative that action should be taken without delay, since with ovetry flood valuable land Avas covered for days and sometimes Aveeks, Avith a consequent dislocation and loss to the farmers of the district. The deputation asked for a £1 for £1 subsidy towards the -work.

, After hearing other speakers, who dealt with the scheme from various aspects, the Prime Minister aid the matter was too important for him to give an off-band reply to the representations. The Government Avould look into the question, and 'he Avould advise the member foil- the district of the decision at a later date.