EARLY DECISION SOUGHT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23414, 22 August 1941, Page 8

EARLY DECISION SOUGHT

PLEDGE TO COMPLETE DRAINAGE

A telegram asking him to press for an early decision and the honouring of the pledge that the Government gave about the completion of the Ash-burton-Hinds Drainage Scheme, was sent yesterday, by the Ashburton County Council, to Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) and the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R. Semple) had fully realised the danger, and had pledged the Government to drain the Longbeach area before irrigation water was turned into the canal, the message stated. It was stated in the telegram that the Treasury was evidently unware of the- urgency of the work, and the danger of a repetition of the trouble at Seadown alleged to have been caused by seepage from irrigation. i In a reply received by the council last evening, Mr Burnett said that after further investigations it was hoped to have the matter satisfactorily dealt With in a day or two.

CONCERN AT DELAY

EIFFELTON FARMERS’ PROTEST

Concern at the suggestion, of the Treasury to defer work on the Ashbur-ton-Hinds Drainage Scheme until after the war, was made, at a meeting of the Eiffelton branch of the Farmers’ Union on Wednesday night, when a resolution urging the Government to carry out its promise to complete the scheme before water was turned into the Rangitata diversion canal, was carried. Plans for the drainage system were submitted by the Ashburton County Council, and these were discussed. Mr. S. P. Taylor, who presided, addressed the meeting on the council's proposals, and gave particulars of the dimensions and carrying capacity of the drains.