CATCHMENT BOARDS’ WORK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27040, 15 May 1953, Page 7

CATCHMENT BOARDS’ WORK

NEED FOR GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES SEEN (From Owr Own Reporter)

TIMARU, May 14. The chairman of the South Canterbury Catchment Board (Dr. P. R. Woodhouse) emphasised the need for Government subsidies for the efficient carrying out of soil conservation and river control works, at the monthly meeting of the board this morning. While referring to the estimates for K 53-54, Dr. Woodhouse said works were costly; but they were very necessary to present occupiers and to the country as a whole. He admitted that South Canterbury’s share of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council’s funds was large, but he had presented the list of works completed under difficult conditions, as an answer to a criticism of the board. This criticism had included unfavourable comments on the size of the board’s staff, he said. "It almost seemed that we were being blamed, not praised, for the amount of work the board had accomplished last year in the face of many difficulties. t "The function of a catchment board was clearly defined in the act—that it was to minimise and prevent damage within its district by floods and erosion and to promote soil conserva'tion. Now. when several boards art almost ready to start major works of great importance, are financial restrictions to be placed on them so that they can carry on only at a dangerous pace?” he asked.