SUBSIDY REDUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1946, Page 6

SUBSIDY REDUCTION

COMPLAINT BY COUNTY COUNCIL APPEAL TO MINISTER “We will be getting nothing shortly,” said Cr. J. Mulcare, at this morning’s meeting of the Grey County Council when a letter was received from the Public Works Department asking if the council was prepared to accept a £1 for £2 subsidy, amounting to £423, in respect of the cost of repairing the flood damage done to a number of county roads early in the year. “It rf the lowest subsidy we have ever been offered in respect to ■ flood damage,” commented the chairman, Mr. J. W. Hannan. The acting engineer, Mr. H. E. Higgins, reported that he had written to the Minister of Transport, Mr. O’Brien, on the subject, asking that he should use his best endeavours to have the subsidy increased at least to the £1 for £1 rate asked for. Considerable Damage. Mr. Higgins said that heavy floods during January and February had caused considerable damage to roads and bridges, the restoration of which was estimated to cost £1785. Floods in Big river caused extensive damage, having broken the bank for a width of 60ft. The river had also changed its course and -was flowing through a plantation. “The chairman said that he and Cr. J. Ryall had interviewed the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple, on the matter last May. - The subsidy had never been reduced so much and if it was insisted upon, a good deal of the flood damage would have to remain unattended. , “It is getting progressively worse,” said Cr. Mulcare, pointing out that at one time the council received free money for flood damage. - “And we are going to get worse treatment,” he said, alleging that an official at the head of the department was responsible for the reduction. “He used to be hostile to us and considered that we were spoonfed. “We are fighting a losing battle,” he added, suggesting that if an analysis of subsidies was taken it would prove how a gradual reduction was taking place. The engineer agreed that this was correct. Effect on Development. Cr. Mulcare said that the council could not be expected to develop country out of revenue. If it wanted to build a bridge, it was now lucky to get a £ 1 for £ 1 subsidy. “We definitely cannot do any more new developing work,” said Cr. W. Fisher. It was left to the chairman, engineer and clerk (Miss- E. M. Heaphy) to make representations regarding past and present policies.