SELWYN RIVER DRAINAGE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25249, 30 July 1947, Page 6

SELWYN RIVER DRAINAGE

CATCHMENT BOARD’S SCHEME

“I anticipate that at its meeting on Friday, the board jvill be able to make a statement about the commencement of the Selwyn river drainage scheme,” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Catchment Board (Mr W. Machin) yesterday. Mr Machin was asked to comment on progress in putting the scheme into effect. It is estimated to cost £34,700, and aims to give flood relief to*the Ellesmere, Springs, Malvern, and Selwyn Counties. Approval to rating for it, spread over an eight-year period, was given at a meeting of ratepayers* at Irwell on June 10. At that meeting, Mr Machin said he had reason to believe that a Government subsidy of £3 for every £1 raised in the counties would be granted. The subsidy would mean that £8675 would have to be found by the ratepayers. According to a* statement by thechief engineer to the Catchment Board (Mr H. W. Harris) at the ratepayers’ meeting, the scheme would give 90 per cent, relief to drainage problems within two years. Yesterday, Mr Machin said that all rating classifications and objections unde f. th ® scheme had been settled, <ind the local bodies concerned were ready to proceed with the rating. Mr riarris had the necessary machinery and labour assembled, and was ready to start the job. The scheme would not be held up through lack of requfred ’ 35 n ° S^ and cemen t were

The ratepayers are on the tiptoe of expectation,” he added. “I have had numerous inquiries about the is m °st anxious mat it Should be commenced as soon as possible.