TAIERI FLOOD DAMAGE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 224, 9 June 1923, Page 6

TAIERI FLOOD DAMAGE

GOVERNMENT WILL HELP By Teiegrai’h.—Pbess Association. Dunedin, June 8. The Premier and the Hon. W- Nosworthv visited Taieri, which is still a scene of desolation, with 14,000 acres under water, and damage to the extent' of £300,000 at the lowest estimate. Subsequently Mr. Massey said, in respect to roads and bridges, that tho Taieri was not so badly off as some other parts of New Zealand. The Government was up against a very serious loss in connection with roads and bridges, but fortunately the slump had ended before tho floods came along, so that he would be able to do more than could have been done twelve months ago. He added: “I do not know what tho engineers will consider necessary to prevent a recurrence at Taieri, but we will do our duty.” “ A deputation from tho Taieri County Council asked the Premier for a pound for pound subsidy up to £6OOO, and a grant of £5OOO for flood damage. Mr. Massev said he would require to see the details, but, in the meantime, so far as repairs were concerned, the countv could get <?n with them, and the Government would see them through. . A representative deputation met the Prime Minister on the general question of Taieri flood protective measures. Mr. Massey suggested that tho Government should take over land at a valuation, do all the necessary work, -and hand it back afterwn.rls as a completed scheme to prevent future floods. Several difficulties were mentioned, and it was suggested to the deputation that, a committee should draft a scheme for Parliament’s consideration. Mr. Massey indicated that there was money in hand to deal with necessary repairs.