SHANNON SUPPORTS RIVER PROTECTION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 25 February 1929, Page 9

SHANNON SUPPORTS RIVER PROTECTION

TO JOIN DEPUTATION. Prom Our Own Correspondent. A letter was received from the Mana-watu-Oroua River Board at the last meeting of the Shannon Borough Council which stated that the board has decided to wait on the Government and ask for a subsidy of £1 for £1 towards the cost of the board’s modified scheme of flood control of tho Manawatu and Orcua rivers. It was also stated that the board has definitely decided that local bodies will not be asked to contribute towards the cost of the scheme, as it is considered that local bodies’ contributions would be fully covered under the £1 for £1 subsidy from the Government. A request was aiso made that the Council appoint a representative to act with the deputation. The Mayor stated that at the recent conference held in Palmer3tou North, the objection raised was that if local bodies gave their moral support by joining the deputation to the Government and the schemo was carried out and it was then found that the amount mentioned was not sufficient and it was necessary to raise more money they might call on those local bodies to contribute who had supported the deputation.

Cr. Hyde said that if they could get proper river protection, it would be of the utmost importance to Shannon. Although the borough was not able to contribute towards the scheme, it should support the deputation to the Government. He believed that, even if they had to find a small amount in the end they would benefit. Cr. Downe3 said he was opposed to the scheme because the Government was to be asked to givo n £1 for £l subsidy for work by which only about half a dozen big land-owners wero going to benefit. If the Government was going to do anything it should take the land over before putting through any scheme, at the completion of which the land should bo put up for closer settlement. Crs. Gunning, Hook, Curran and Hyde also expressed their opinion that the land should be taken by the Government with a view to cutting up for closer settlement. Cr. Downes: If we go to Wellington with the deputation and support the scheme, you will find later that you will have to find part of the money, as should there bo floods -during the time the scheme is being carried, it. is pretty certain that it will not bo put through for tho amount estimated. Finally, it was decided that the Council bo represented on the deputation and that the schemo be supported; also that the Government bo urged to take over the land for closer settlement. Cr. Hyde was appointed to represent tho Council.