BIG FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 June 1932, Page 6

BIG FLOOD CONTROL SCHEME.

Whirokino Col Will Absorb 450 Workless, for Over One Year.

Camp to be Established

Close to Foxton Heads.

Through the medium of the ManaWatu-Oroua River Board the Government intends to establish a relief camp near Foxton Heads. Work will then be provided over a period of approximately 18 months for 450 unemployed with the ob- - ject of carrying out the Whirokino out —and two subsidiary channels j n the Manawatu rive? under the modified scheme of flood control. This important anno uncement ■was made by the chairman of the Board (Mr W. S. Carter) last week, when reporting on the representations made to the Minister of/ Employment (Rt. Hon. J. G-. Coates) last week. After hearing the proposals the members approved of the work commencing as soon as possible. government approached. Mr Carter explained that the previous week a deputation from the Board, consisting of Messrs B. G. Gower and R. Law and himself, had interviewed tho Minister in respect to the Public Works Department, with unemployed labour, undertaking the Whirokino cut, a navigation channel arid a river service cut. The Board had promised to assume all liability for compensation, on condition that the work was carried out according to tho plans and specifications provided by the Board and approved by the department. The scheme, he continued, had been fully .outlined, and tho deputation had been subsequently asked how much money the Board "could find. Upon it being explained that the Board could not provide any finance, the Minister had suggested that supplies of food could be given for the unemployment camp and that the district could take an interest in the welfare of the men in return for the Government’s assistance. An asssurance was then given by the Minister that men would be placed in a camp in the vicinity to carry out the proposal. DETAILS OF THE WORK. The work to be carried out consists of a cut in the Manawatu river from Hartley’s bend to Long Reach, this 'being known as the Whirokino cut; another smaller cut across Rush Flat for shipping purposes; and a third small one from Whirokino will be made to ensure that a stream will tgo through to keep up the supply of water in the river. This will be a continuation of work on the Board’s modified scheme.

In reply to questions, the chairman said that the work was expected to occupy from 12 to 18 months and -would absorb between 400 and 450

men. The main work would naturally ■bo the Whirokino cut, the other jobs being merely subsidiary channels. “Wc cannot do anything for our scheme unless we start at tho lower reaches of the Manawatu river,” declared Mr Carter. “If this proposal is agreed to wc can carry out gradually such works as will relieve the flooding menace. We have never had a better opportunity to start than tho present one.” It was added that the deputation had assured the Minister that a meeting of settlers would be called to ascertain what support would bo forthcoming in the nature of donation of stock and produce for the proposed camp. “It will, of course, be necessary to set up a working committee to finalise matters with the unemployment officials and to arrange any financial matters,” he concluded. Mr D. Rowland objected to the Kairanga district being linked to the scheme in the meantime. He thought that any cost should be borne by those who recived direct benefit. REMOVING FLOOD MENACE.

Mr Garter: This work to be done, according to our engineer, will reduce the flood risk on the Moutoa by four feet. That is a lot, isn’t it? The Chairman added that he Avould like to see the work started at once, ,as he felt sure that the upper area would receive considerable benefit. “Probably the Board will have to find £IOOO, and the method of raising this has yet to be considered,” he stated., “I feel certain that we can give payment in kind —that is, by way of donations of foodstuffs and comforts far the camp—and I am sure that Foxton and Levin will co-operate with us.”

In reply to a further question, Mr Garter said that the camp would probably be established between Hartley’s bend and the bottom of Long Reach, on the main cut.

Mr Law suggested that a point across the river, free from flooding, could be taken for gardening work under the committee. This suggestion was heartily endorsed by members, who considered that if the scheme were properly organised the camp’s requirements of ■ vegetables could be supplies. Following further discussion, Messrs Gower, Rowland, Law, Speirs and Garter were appointed an executive committee with power to arrange for the’ requirements of the men at the camp to be established, and to arrange entertainments, etc.