ASHBURTON RIVER EROSION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 10

ASHBURTON RIVER EROSION

♦ GOVERNMENT’S OFFER OF finance SUBSIDY OF £24,500 FOR PROTECTIVE WORK Towards a comprehensive scheme of protection against erosion by the flooding of the Ashburton river, an offer to give £24,500 has .been made by the Government, conditional on the Ashburton County Council, the body now controlling the river, finding £5500. Considerable hesitancy over the acceptance of the offer Was shown yesterday by members of the council when they waited on the Minister for Employment, (the Hoh. ti. T. Armstrong). .. The scheme involves a capital expenditure of £30.000. and covers properties liable to flooding. These extend from the mouth 25 miles towards Mount Hutt. The prrposals include the cleaning out of willows and clearing the bed to a width of seVen and a half chains irt the noyth branch which is rain-fed, to 15 chains in the, south branch, which is fed by the glaciers, and to 20 chains from the Ashburton traffic bridge to the mouth. When the protective measures are started the first work Will be the erection of several stop-banks, the biggest one to be at _ Digby s corner, where the river is liable to sweep, in times of flood, across the rOad and threaten the borough of Ashburton, the natural course being through the domain and On to Allenton. About three weeks ago the County C./.'.ncil, in discussions with Mr Armsi ong informed him that it could ay only £ISOO, aS the cOst Of future maintenance would be heavy. Yesterday the Minister slated that of the total cost of £30,000. the Government would find £24,500 from the Employment Promotion Fund, and the Public Works Fund; and the council would be required to find £2500 in cash, the remaining £3OOO to be contributed in equal sums in the succeeding three years. That Was the best offer the Government had yet made for such work. It Was admitted by the chairman of the County Council, Mr F. Frampton, that the Government’s offer was generous, but the classification of the areas and the taking of a poll would occupy nine months. Wh eh the Minister pointed out the financial strength of the county, Mr Frampton said Only a small area was concerned,. and Mr J. Carr said he would strongly object to OtHei- ridings having to pay for the work. . . ~ The Minister told the council that, if it gavO guarantees, legislation validating its action in the event of the poll being rejected by the ratepayers, would be passed. If the council gave £ISOO the erection of the stop-banks could be begun, but he urged it to guarantee the full amount suggested. The decision of the council is to be communicated to the Minister.