FLOOD DAMAGE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2646, 15 May 1923, Page 5

FLOOD DAMAGE.

REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. ,LOCAL BODIES WAIT ON MINISTER. MR. COATES SYMPATHETIC. [For Press Association.] BLENHEIM, East Night. The Hon. .T. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, who arrived from Wellington to-night, was waited on by representatives of all the local bodies in the province with requests for assistance in repairing flood damage. • In no case were the estimates as to the amounts required to re-instate the various public works available, as parts of the district were still under water, but the River Board indicated that a very substantial amount, probably running into £20,000, would be required in connection with the restoration and improvement of river protection works. Awatere county representatives also reported exceptionally heavy damage in the Upper Awatere, where the carrying away of the bridges had left pack horses as the only means of communication.

In most cases the local authorities suggested £ for £ subsidies. The Minister was very sympathetic. He asked the local bodies to confer with the Public/' Works engineer in getting out estimates of the cost of works necessary, and promised favourable consideration of the requests for financial assistance.

Mr. Sharpe, inspecting engineer of the Public "Works Department, indicated there was no possibility of the Clarence Bridge being repaired before Christmas. Thus, through motor traffic) from Marlborough to Canterbury will be a thing of the past for a considerable period.

POSITION IN OTAGO. TRAIN SERVICES BEING MAINTAINED. DUNEPIN, Last Night. There is little new to report in regard to the Hoods. Interest is now centred on the Taieri, where conditions have not improved much. There is still a good deal of water on the south railway line between Allanton and Otokia, but the express trains ploughed through at a slow pace, and the service will be continued to-mor-row on the north line. The slip near Mihiwaka Tunnel will take some days to repair, but the passenger mail service will be maintained. Passengers are being requested to carry as little luggage as possible. The mid-day express from Christcfluirch arrived at Dunedin one and a-ha!f hours late. Some of the passengers left the train at Waitati, and took a motor-car to Dunedin, but about 50 walked past the breach and joined the waiting train on the other side.

Heavy rain fell again to-night, but was easing off at mid-night.