FLOOD AT MOERA

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 91, 20 April 1929, Page 10

FLOOD AT MOERA

GRANT OF £1000

"NOT A COMPASSIONATE

ALLOWANCE"

A reported statement that Cabinet has approved the allocation of a sum of £1000 "as a compassionate allowance" to those who suffered as the result of flood damage to Moera Settlement/Lower Hutt, some months ago, was corrected to-day by the member for the district, the Hon. T. M. Wilford.'

M-r. Wilford said it had been stated that 77 houses at Aloera had been affected, whereas the number was actually 37, situated principally in Elizabeth street, Raudwick road, and York street.' "It is correct," said Mr. Wilford, "that £1000 has been granted by Cabinet in connection with the matter, but it was not a compassionate but merely 1m undertaking by Cabinet to recognise claims which could be agreed to 'as reasonable after the claims had been gone into by an officer of the Public , Works Department (Mr. Ilalliday), anS Mr. D. M'Ewan, acting for the property holders. I have contended as member for the district that the cost of .the trouble imposed a certain obligation on the Government. With that opinion, the late Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, agj-eed, and Cabinet has also agreed with it. There is naturally a contest between the' Public Works Department and the settlers as to the amount- of damage suffered, and 1 would like it clearly understood that the £1000 granted by Cabinet is merely an undertaking that the claims should be considered, and in thoi event of an agreement being arrived at the money will bo paid."

Mr. Wilford added that the Minister of Lands (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) admitted with him that tiie Government should, do. what was just, and the Cabinet graut. was an earnest, of the Government's -'intuition.... Tiie . amount-of, the' grant in-no' way. affected, 'a-, settle-' ment which might be eventually reached, nor was it final.. , ;■