RAILWAY OPEN ON THURSDAY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24501, 26 February 1945, Page 4

RAILWAY OPEN ON THURSDAY

MR SEMPLE’S HOPE REMARKABLE PROGRESS at temuka The Minister of Works and Rallways (the Hon. R. Semple) expects that the South Island' Main Trunk tatarg be open next Thursday. Mr Semple said last evening that remarkable progress had been made in repairing the line at the Temuka wash-out and he hoped that the gap would be bridged by Tuesday if the weather remained Semple said the organisation Tor repairing the railway was now in full swing. With the highway to the south open, although deviations were, still necessary, the railway was_ being givfen priority in machines and manpower so that it could be opened as soon as possible. He,was pretty sure it would be open Tor traffic on Thursday if the weather held. Then the repair gangs would go on to the highW There was a very large amount of work to -be done- on county roads, Mr Semple said. In the Geraldine County 30 bridges Were affected and they would receive attention as soon as possible. The position of Geraldine was characteristic of the flood-damaged area. ■ . ~ Mr Semple said the irrecoverable losses were on the farms, and the damage that had been done could not be believed if it were not seen. Paddocks of wheat were under water, barley and oats laid flat, potato crops ruined, and stock drowned. Fortunately there had been no loss of life, but in the extent of the damage it was the worst natural disaster since he had been Minister. ■ There was nothing more he could do in the district, said Mr Semple, and he was leaving for Timaru; Dunedin, and Balclutha on Monday morning. There was urgent work to be done in those districts. The assistant chief engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr T. G. Beck) had flown tp, Dunedin and would meet him there with all the available information.

FLOOD DAMAGE INSPECTED

ASSISTANCE PROMISED

BY MINISTERS

TOUR OP TEMUKA AREA Prom Our Own Reporter

GERALDINE, February 25. A personal tour of inspection of the damage caused by the flooding in the Temuka and Milford areas was'made on Saturday by the Minister of Works (the Hon, R, Semple) and the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B, Roberts), together with representatives of various Government departments. - The flood was a national disaster as well as a local one. said the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) at Temuka, The foodstuffs that had been lost werfe urgently needed by the United Nations to help toward the successful conclusion of the'war, and for the relief of distress.

“I have been sent by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) to get in touch with farmers to sea what can be done to set you on your feet again, and set you >n production,” said Mr Roberts. “Petrol supplies will have to be organised, there are stillsheep to be shifted, and fodder to be found for cattle. Your primary production leaders have made a good start, and the Government will give every assistance. We must put our heads together and work out the best possible solution to the problems brought to oUr attention, and .1 will stay as long as is necessary. “The Prime Minister has expressed the intention of dealing generously with the problem,” he continued, “but it is not intended to hand out money indiscriminately.” A suggestion had. been made during the North Island floods‘that the Government should pay for 50 per cent, of the damage, but the Government’s decision had been "each according to his need.” 'Those who had 'suffered losses would be asked to -“put all their cards on the table,” and loans would be granted,, In'some Cases there would be a low rate of interest, In other cases no interest at all,* and in some cases the principal would have to be wiped on. In the North Island, the Government had paid living expenses for six months or more in urgent cases, and if necessary, this would be repeated. Because of the necessity of destroying dead stock, it was agreed on the suggestion of Mr T. H. Symes, of Clandeboye, to endeavour to burn them with flame throwers to avoid the danger,of epidemic. Mr A. D. Crossman said that the animals collected and thrown into the river at Temuka, where many were drowned in the saleyards, were being washed up on the beaches and causing a nuisance. The Minister of Works promised that the Commissioner of Supply (Mr F. R. Picot) Would arrange for the necessary petrol. It was stated that more than 300 dead animals had been carted into heaps already, and a promise was given that the Army would assist with this work.

“We must'salvage every bushel of wheat we can,” said Mr Roberts, when Mr L. V. Talbot pointed out the urgent need for labour to turn the wheat which was sprouting in the stocks. An immediate promise was made that Army trucks could bring out volunteer labour from Timaru which the secretary of the South Canterbury Primary Production Council (Mr A. B. Struthers) had organised. A promise was also made thajt Army labour would be sent to assist with the-work.

■ An inspection of the flooded areas was made from the air by the Minister of Agriculture and Mr J. Acland, M.P., who has returned from Wellington.

FLOODED AREAS NEAR WAIMATE

INSPECTION BY HON. B. ROBERTS From Our Own Reporter

WAIMATE, February 25. Sympathy with flood sufferers was expressed by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) after a tour of the worst affected farm lands at Waimate on Sunday. When speaking of damage to wheat crops, the Minister made a promise of assistance to settlers who had suffered financial loss. Referring to potato growers, he said estimates of losses would be obtained, and assistance would be given where necessary. * Mr Roberts’s party travelled along the coastal flats of the StudholmeWillowbridge areas, through Mbrven. and along Pike’s point and the Valley roads, reaching Waimate via McCulloch’s bridge and the Waimate gorge.

Grain at many places, along the route was badly flattened, while many sheaves from stocks and stacks had be?n washed away. In the aggregate. the greatest damage had been inflicted on the potato growing areas on the coastal flats near the Waimate creek and the Waihao river. Many acres of potatoes were still under water.

ONE TRAIN SOUTH TO DAY

There will be one train from Christchurch to Dunedin to-day, leaving at 8.35 a.m. Passengers will travel between Rangitata and Timaru by busefc. and accommodation will be limited to the capacity of the buses. There are still many more persons wishing to travel than can be carried by the limited service.