DAMAGE BY FLOODS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29625, 22 September 1961, Page 10

DAMAGE BY FLOODS

Govt. Estimate Of Losses

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. Losses suffered by farmers and the community generally, as a result of the recent storms and floods, are likely to run into several million pounds, said the Minister of Works (Mr Goosman) tonight.

The cost of remedying damaged soil conservation projects and the restoration of river control works alone was expected to exceed £250,000. Mr Goosman said this estimate had been made by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council which, through catchment boards, had conducted an examination of the areas affected, and had also received reports on the extent of the damage to river control works. Damage had occurred over a wide area including the Waikato, the Hauraki Plains. Wanganui, the Rangitikei, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Canterbury and Otago. Urgent repair works had been approved in these areas.

The original damage had been aggravated by a repetition of downpours on already saturated catchments.

Urgent topdressing and over-sowing on slipped hillsides in the Wanganui, Mangaweka. Taihape. Manawatu and Wairarapa districts was being done in conjunction with restoration work. For the first time a subsidy had been made available this year for this form of land treatment after floods.

“This is a relatively small item in the over-all bill which we have to face.” said Mr Goosman. “But to keep up our primary industry and improve our national economy, it is essential to restore the damage and restore the areas where serious slips occurred.”