Farmers Defer Some Subsidised Work

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31588, 27 January 1968, Page 1

Farmers Defer Some Subsidised Work

When Dr W. R. Holmes told the North Canterbury Catchment Board yesterday that $lO,OOO more in subsidy had been granted, he said it appeared likely that only $37,000 out of an estimated $50,000 worth of subsidised work would be done before March 31, because of deferments by farmers.

The board approved three additional subsidised works, and agreed that the balance of the $lO,OOO, estimated to be $B2OO, and any subsidy money allocated but not spent on conservation work, should be transferred to Waimakariri River jobs. The approved subsidies were $l6OO for the Ellesmere County Council to clear the Irwell Creek, $2OO for the Oxford County Council for maintenance, and a sum at the rate of $2 for $1 for a job estimated to cost $595 for Mr A. R. Mclntosh, of Whiterock. “The original deferment of the Irwell Creek job was of

concern to the board, and we are glad to make the subsidy available,” said Dr Holmes. “The unspent money can be used on the Waimakariri, the vote for which, some of us thought, was unfortunately low.” Referring to the deferment of farm conservation plans, Mr J. M. Pickering said much of the work depended on private finance. Last year, more than $50,000 was spent on farm conservation, said the chief soil conservator (Mr R. D. Dick). Wool prices had particularly affected bill and high country farmers interested in conservation.