CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4409, 1 February 1930, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor)

f Sir, —Being on a business visit to ■ the Manawatu I cannot help being struc'kl with the scene of ruin and over all the country that has recently been inundated by flood waters. The destruction of pasture and crops could not have been more complete and the smell of the rotting vegetation can be noticed quite a mile away. "Pences have been levelled to the ground and farm material has been washed away. It appears to me that many farmers are now more or less completely ruined because it will be many months before the feed can grow again and then only provided there is no recurrence of floods. On enquiry I find that the cause of this disastrous state of things is that floodbanks have been washed away and will continue to be washed away unless, and until the Manawatu-Oroua River 'Board scheme is put into operation. This River Board has prepared a scheme whereby at a minimum of cost and with Government assistance an overflow channel can be constructed and the floods controlled and thus thousands of acres of the very best laud in New Zealand brought into closer settlement and intensive cultivation. It appears to me that the flood control of the Manawatu River is a matter that the Government of New Zealand should, and could take up with confidence and at the earliest possible moment. The flooding of these farms is not , (only ’ a matter that concerns the unfortunate farmer himself or the particular locality, but it is a National disaster and should be treated by the Government of New Zealand as such. Is it not possible for the Ministers of Lands and Public "Wiorks to take a flying visit to the Manawatu and, starting at Foxton view the scene of ruin for themselves ? I know these Ministers of the Crown are very busy men but I feel that the circumstances justify the sacrifice of time on their part. Nothing is more likely to cause unemployment than such recurring floods and nothing is more likely to reduce unemployment permanently and to foster closer settlement than a little Government sympathy and assistance in carrying out the River Boards overflow scheme. Yours, etc., COMMERCIAL.

FOXTON SILVER BAND.

Sir, —The report of the above as submitted by Mr. W. Harris, is not exactly correct, and lacks detail for public guidance. Now, in endeavouring to resuscitate the band, the Mayor and Mr. Betty (deputy bandmaster) had my co-operation and keenest support. But, sir, in order to clear up a difficulty, I wish to state that the Mayor personally stated to me, and also publicly stain the press, that he is the President of the band. But at the meeting Bandsman James Newth, and the acting-secretary, Mr. Harris, declare that the Mayor is not the band’s President. Thus I publicly ask of the Mayor, “Are you, or are you not President "of the band? ” Again, Mr. Harris definitely states that the Mayor had said that I had to be put on trial as a player before initiation. 1 ask the Mayor to publicly show, that it was Mr. Harris himself who said it, in his capacity as acting-secretary. I am, etc., J. HOLDER.