“OVER-THE-FENCE” SCHEME.

Matamata Record, Volume XV, Issue 1328, 30 May 1932, Page 5

“OVER-THE-FENCE” SCHEME.

DRAINAGE OPERATIONS.

County Council’s Approval.

An application from Mr. R. Broekliss, of Waharoa, for approval of a scheme to bngage unemployed workers for drainage operations under what is known as the No. 5 “ over-the-fence ” scheme was considered by the Matamata County Council on Wednesday. Mr. Brockliss advised that he had about 30 acres of swamp, covered with rushes, etc., which he could not afford to drain, but which he would undertake with unemployed labour.

Cr. J. Moir said that Mr. Brockliss was a new settler, and if given labour could bring in quite a considerable area which would be. not only for his benefit but for New Zealand’s benefit. There were two settlers concerned, and as at the last meeting the council had considered that it was too late for draining he had advised Mr. Brockliss to write to the council.

The engineer remarked that what was said was that draining was mostly a summer job. All applicants under this scheme had been advised to put their proposals to the local committees, who could then go into the question of the man’s ability to bear some portion of the cost. A necessary stipulation was that there should be no cost to the county. Cr. Moir said the - main point was supervision, and to get over this it was suggested that each riding member should exercise a general j supervision. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to refer the application to the Matamata • Unemployment Committee. 5 A further application from the Cambridge Golf Club, whose land is within the Matamata area, was referred to the Cambridge committee for consideration.