FLOODED FARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 197, 22 August 1939, Page 5

FLOODED FARMS.

HEAVY LOS§ES FEARED.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

(From Our Correspondent.)

PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday.

Flood control matters in Manawatu were brought before the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Seniple, at Shannon by a large deputation of settlers affected by the river overflowing its banks last week in the Buckley and Moutoa areas and making thousands of acres of high-class dairying land useless at the commencement of the production season. *

A statement was made by one speaker that many of the farmers in the district were facing bankruptcy.

Mr. W. S. Carter, a member of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, said that in all some 30,000 acres were under water even at the present time, and in cases to a depth of 10ft.

The Minister said that his Department was fully aware of the dangers of the river and was busy with,a major scheme. As far as the present damage was concerned, as soon as he had an accurate estimate of the cost of effecting repairs he would be able to give them some help.

In connection with the request for financial assistance, the Minister said lie could make no promise. He could only #pend money that had been authorised by Parliament, and in the case of a calamity such as this the Cabinet had always been generous and it would be for them to say what they would do. It would be necessary for settlers to make personal applications.