GENERAL FUND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 303, 4 October 1946, Page 4

GENERAL FUND

CATCHMENT BOARD HANDICAPPED (“Guardian” Reporter) Numerous appeals for aid in repairing damage caused by the recent floods came Before the meeting of the South Canterbury Catchment Board at Timaru, on Wednesday, and all were referred to the engineer (Mr G. R. Milward) for reports. The need of a general fund for. immediate repairs was stressed by several speakers, but no decision to make a move to this end was reached. The subject was introduced by Mr S. P. Taylor who inquired where the board was to get all the money required to do something for the many people seeking assistance. They had all the schemes under way, but where was the money coming from? It waa all very well to ask the engineer to bring down a report and suggest remedial measures, hut the board could do nothing without the money. The chairman (Dr. P. R. Woodhouse) commented that all the appeals for aid were very sincere. Both settlers and board were facing great difficulties. There was. in the first instance, the shortage of staff, though that aspect was much better now. Next there was the matter of finance, and it was often a matter of months before authority to spend could be secured from Wellington. This was no good at all where urgent cases required attention. To function properly, the board must have finance available for immediate use. Some general fund, as suggested previously, was definitely required. With this as a backing, the hoard could then approach the person seeking aid and secure a just contribution from him, with the subsidy from the Soil Conservation Council as additional assistance. Such a scheme would enable help to be given immediately and avoid damage extending through delays, as was inevitable under the present arrangements. The board then turned to other matters without any motion being put forward.