DISTRICT WORKS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 2

DISTRICT WORKS

IN MANAWATU ELECTORATE. £300,000 ALLOCATED. (From Our Own Corrospodnenl.) FOXTON, May 31. Addressing the annual meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, Mr C. L. Hunter spoke of works in his electorate (Manawatu). “I have done everything possible in the interests of this district. Something like £300,000 has been allocated by the Government for works in this electorate. That is an enormous sum and ranks high in allocations when compared with those received by other electorates,” he said. Mr Perreau asked if there was any in lention of proceeding with the road across the ranges linking Shannon with the East Coast. Mr Hunter said the work would never be worth while. The country was too rugged and the road would only of scenic value if constructed. As it was the hillside had now slipped away on the Mangahao Road and it was impossible to reach the top dam other than by boat. “The Government is, however,” added Mr Hunter, “going to protect the Manawatu River and prevent flooding. The Government has given a definite undertaking in this respect and Mr Grant is making his survey now. The Government, once it receives Mr Grant’s report, will take over and erect the necessary works. That in itself will prove an enormous job and the Government will probably receive a good deal of criticism from other parts of the Dominion, but we do not mind that. We want to protect the people. Every acre lost through flooding means a loss to production. Mr Grant considers that it will bo some months before his report will be ready as he is anxious to see the Manawatu in flood. When the work is eventually put in hand it will find work for a large number of men for some year 9, and permanent hands will have to be engaged on the job. “The No'. 60 highway work will be started during the coming week, when the first- four miles at the Palmerston North end will be commenced. Eventually the road will be completed right through. Unfortunately the rooding works in this district are mostly flat and do not call for much cutting work and consequently large numbers of men. “J have great hopes of seeing large numbers of boys and men employed in Foxton in the near future,” said Mr Hunter. “A new process in connection with the preparing of flax will shortly revolutionise (his industry. During the last twelve months I have seen 80 or more inventions in this connection, and 1... am confident that the one I refer to is going to save the flax industry. When it is established you will sec 1000 people working in the flax industry in Foxton. There are big prospects.”