PROTECTION FROM FLOODS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 970, 20 March 1924, Page 5

PROTECTION FROM FLOODS.

RIVER BOARD’S SCHEME.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS.

PROPOSALS TO BE INVESTIGATED,

A deputation consisting of Messrs R. TBell, H. Akers, P. Neilson, 11. Anderson, K. McDonald, W. Carter, P. E. Baldwin, R. 11. Spencer, and P. C. Ilay, and representing the Manawatu-Oroua River Board waited upon the Prims Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, the Minister of Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. R. F. Bollard, in Wellington yesterday in connection with the proposed scheme of the board to deal with flood water in the Manawatu river. The work proposed will involve a very large sum of .money, and in order to assist the people interested the Government was asked to contribute a sum by way of subsidy, as the work will vitally concern the Government from the point of view of the safety of the railway at Kopitaroa, together with bridges and roads in the vicinity. The deputation was introduced to the Ministers by Messrs J. A, Nash and J. Linklater, M’s.l’., and Messrs Bell, Baldwin, Akers and Hay spoke in support of the 'request of the deputation, urging the Government to help them in the proposed undertaking. Tor Massey, in reply, pointed out that that morning he had received three deputations all of which had made applications for large sums of money. It was impossible for the Government to comply with every request made. He realised, of course, the importance of the work and it was a matter to which consideration would be given. Mr Massey discussed the question of the proposed ra:e on the lands concern jd and lie also referred to the benefit the settlers would derive from the work. To carry out the scheme would probably need a bill to be passed by Parliament. Mr Massey said he could make no promises in tbs matter but he assured the deputation that their proposal would be thoroughly investigated. The Hen. J. G. Coates said that as far as his department was concerned, the proposal would Teceive consideration and he would have reports prepared. Mr Nash suggested a policy of co-opera-tion between the river board’s engineer and the Public Works Department to which Mr C'oates agreed. Returning thanks to the Ministers for receiving the deputation, Mr Nash said the members of the deputation, were grateful for the opporunity of meeting all three Ministers at the one time, as the proposed work was of such vital importance that it was necessary that all three Ministers should be conversant with it.