RIVERS CONTROL BILL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23248, 7 February 1941, Page 4

RIVERS CONTROL BILL

EARLY INTRODUCTION UNLIKELY

The Hon. R. Semple, writing on January 7 as Minister for Public Works, told the Ellesmere Lands Drainage Board that he did not think there was any possibility of the Rivers Control Bill coming into force very soon ‘‘as war conditions would prevent the provisions of the bill operating even if it was passed. However, as soon as the time seems opportune I will endeavour to have the bill put through so that your board can take advantage of its provisions,” he said. Mr Semple also referred to the possibility of extending the time limit 1 for raising the £15,000 loan for a permanent outlet to Lake Ellesmere. The time limit imposed by the Order-in-Council which authorised the loan was two years, and if the loan, or a part of it, was raised within that time, application could be made for an extension. The letter explained that where an extension was granted the original terms were revised to conform with the current terms of the 4 Loans Board and a loan which had been authorised with a 4i per cent, rate of interest would be revised at present with a rate of 4 per cent. The Local Government Loans Board advised in another letter that it had not yet been able to consider the application for authority to raise a loan of £6OOO for a dredge to work In the Halswell river, and this would be done at the next meeting.