MANAWATU OROUA FLOOD AREAS.

Shannon News, 16 April 1929, Page 4

MANAWATU OROUA FLOOD AREAS.

VISITED BY MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

RIVER BOARD EXPLAINS REQUEST FOR A SUBSIDY

All the land to be affected by the proposed new modified scheme for flood protection in the ManawatuOroua River Board’s district was thoroughly inspected by the Hon. E. A. Ransom (Minister of Public Works) on Saturday morning.

Tho Minister, in answer to representations by Mr. J. Linklatcr, M.P., on behalf of the River Board, arrived in Palmerston North on Friday eight and after viewing the country involved, departed for Danncvirke oa Saturday afternoon.

In the course of the tour, a stop was made for refreshments at Shannon, when Mr. Linklater, on behalf of tho district, extended a welcome to Mr. Ransom.

In the course of his remarks, the member for the district stated that the tour had been arranged in order that the Minister might realise the possibilities and the necessity for the scheme. The matter of a subsidy was gc-ing to be taken to the Government, for the reason that the very fine country which their visitor was being shown was already heavily taxed and those responsible for the suggested spheme felt that it was imperative that a subsidy be obtained. No matter how fine the quality of the land, it could only stand a certain amount of rating. Mr. W. S. Carter, chairman of' tho Manawatu-Oroua River Board, extended tc Mr. Ransom a welcome on his first ministerial visit to the Manawatu. it was a pleasure to know that then’ visitor was an old resident of the district. Inspection had been arranged in. order that Mr. Ransom could see for himself the possibilities of a fertile district, once adequately protcered from the menace of floods. The main factor which influenced" the Board in'its decision to approach the Government J’er a subsidy was that the scheme was necessary for the progress of the district.

Mr. Ransom stated that he was not entirely inconversant with the Mannwatu and its problems, as he had worked in Rongotea 45 years ago. There was no finer land in New Zealand than that which he had seen that day. He' was fully alive to the economic necessity of improving land, particularly richer land, which would then be suitable for intensive cultivation.

The Government was to be approached for a subsidy and he would point out that the Government owed itself a duty to protect whatever money it might put into the scheme and also the ratepayers who were being taxed. In other districts, the Minister proceeded, he had noticed cases where.laiid which had received betterment, had not paid for the benefits conferred, nor compensated for deterioration caused. It was his duty to consider those who would be affected by the scheme aud measures would have to be taken to see that no one was affected injuriously without being fully recompensed. The matter of subsidy would rest with the Government.

Speaking generally, Mr. Ransom suggested certain views that had entered his mind in connection with the initiation of such a large improvement scheme. Before anything could be done, it would be necessary to have a thorough valuation, acceptable to all landowners involved, the assessment to be the fair selling value of the property before the work was started. On this valuation, the rate should be struck, property being graded into at least three classes, according to the advantages gained. Once a standard had been set and the work completed, if a landowner disposed of his holding at a figure in excess of the betterment received and being paid for by rates, lie should be compelled to pay back Ins share of the capital charges of tho scheme. A further suggestion was that a fund could be established from a like source to compensate those suffering losses.

Mr. Ransom gave as a reason for his idea, particulars of a ease in tlie Hauraki Plains, where a farmer with a 50aero holding had had a 20ft. drain placed through his farm, causing a loss of 10 acres of land. Those responsibio for the work had been so foolish i*. the carrying out of their operations that the farmer was not even given a say m the disposal of the spoil which was spread over good arable land, to its great detriment. ' After detailing the steps he liad taken as Minister to render justice to tho owner, Mr. Ransom said that men' whoso land had not been - worth £5 an acre had sold out at £7O without paying a cent, towards the cost of tho scheme which so greatly enhanced the value of _ their holdings. The Board would have to guard against contingencies such as those related.

In concluding, Mr. Ransom reiterated that tho Government should help to get the land to ifs maximum production capacity and at the same time protect its investment and guard agoiest all interference.

There were many schemes in hand, some to protect land from floods and others, as in Otago, to bring water onto the land. He was A r ery pleased indeed to go around the district and see for himself exactly w r hat was proposed. The Route Taken.

Accompanying tho Minister on his tour of the district were Messrs. J. A Nash, M.P., J. Linklater, M.P., A. Seifert, W. S. Carter, A. Buchanan, R, Tanner, R. Law, B. Gower and F. C. Kay (engineer to the Board). Leaving Palmerston North at eight in the morning, the party proceeded via Foxton Line to Karere road, whence progress' was made through Lockwood and the land subject to flooding from

the Oroua. Proceeding to Eongotea, the Minister was taken along Leen \s Line through Glen Oroua, down Main Oroua road to Rangiotu. The party here ascended Post Office Hill, and Mr. Hay explained and pointed out the proposed cut to shorten the tortuous course of the Oroua. Mr. Ransom showed great interest in the fact that the scheme would permit a prae : tically straight level road from Levin to Palmerston North, four miles shorter than the existing route. From Rangiotu, the party proceeded to Jackeytown to enable Mr. Ransom to view the old Tainui swamp, which suffers so much from floods.

Journeying back, the party crossed the Rangitane suspension bridge tfnd after proceeding some distance through the Makerua, turned back and headed for Shannon via Tokomaru.

After morning tea, the Koputaroa district was viewed from Xaw’s Hill, Shannon, and the site of the Moutoa diversion, which would act as a spillway for floods of 10 feet and over, pointed out. The party then 'journeyed to the actual site via the new Shannon bridge. Many questions were asked and full details given, the Minister betraying particular interest , to learn of ahy, injurious affects possible by the diversion) After visiting the end of the proposed diversion near the Whirokiuo bridge, the party returned to Palmerston North, arriving at one o’clock. The Minister departed a little later for Dannevirke.

At Mr. Ransom’s request, the River Board is going to forward to him full reports and data in connection with the scheme.