COUNCIL AGREES TO BACK RIVER BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6851, 5 March 1929, Page 8

COUNCIL AGREES TO BACK RIVER BOARD

No Financial Responsiiblity

CR. ELIOTT TO JOIN DEPUTATION

In a successful endeavour to enlist the Palmerston North Borough council's support when approaching the government for a subsidy to carry out its modified flood protection scheme in the lower Manawatu, Messrs A. Seifert and F. C. Hay, of the Manawatu-Oroua River board, waited on the council last evening.

The council, at a previous meeting, had decided not to grant the request, lest moral support might eventually commit i& to a financial contribution. Mr. Seifert said tho board was afraid it would pot get government support unless the’other local bodies interested were at its back. He did not think it should devolve on the farmers vitally interested to put the schemo through, even if they could, as the question had a national aspect. Any good accomplished would be reflected in towns such as Palmerston North, which depended on the prosperity of tho country surrounding. The board was not asking for a contribution from Palmerston North —only support in appealing tc the government for financial aid. It was felt Palmerston North’s support would turn flic scale when the government was approached. The board had worked for years with its schemo and the cost to date had been borne solely by the ratepayers of the board’s district. It would be good policy on the part of the government to support the scheme. The government would not give a subsidy before the plans were passed by the Public Works engineers so the council could rest assured of its practicability. In its engineer, Air. F. C. Hay,, the board possessed one of the most highly qualified hydraulic engineers in Now Zealand. The Mayor stated that the council was quite satisfied as to the merits. of tho scheme, but would the deputation assure the council that it would not be called upon for a financial contribution? Mr. Seifert gave that assurance and in reply to Cr. Hodgens, stated that the present Diver board would not bo out of office until January next. When the deputation had withdrawn, Cr. Fitzherbert stated that he had moved a motion prmiously to support the River board, but it had been defeated. He would not reiterate the advantages of the scheme to the town but would simply move tbat a representative be appointed. . The Mayor stated that in view ,of the assurance given, a representative should be appointed. . . Cr. M. A. Eliott caid he bad originally opposed the appointing of a representative but had since gone more fully into the question and now would agree that a scheme that improved the country surrounding Palmerston North, would also be of benefit to the town. Cr. Hodgens expressed surprise at the somersault of Cr. Eliott, who had only recently expressed himself strongly against the River board’s request. He pointed out that the council, could not bind the incoming council in any matter, nor could the River board, which went out of office next January, bind the new River board. In those circumstances, care should be exercised. It tickled him to hear of the River board asking for moral support when going to the government for financial support. The government surely would see it was being made a milch cow. He thought the board was only making a laughing stock of itself. He further asked -what was going to happen to the flax industry when the swamps were drained. He had seen a prospectus which compared dairy au-I flax production apd the odds were decidedly in favour of flax growing. The speaker considered the council should be very careful ?-about associating itself with the River board. Cr. G. Tremaine said he was in favour of giving moral support. He had seen the prospectus referred to by Cr. Hodgens and certainly the prospects of the flax industry were described in bright tones but personally, he was more concerned with the dairying industry. Cr. C. N. Clausen saw no valid reason in giving support. He was surprised to see the Manawatu Drainage board opposed to giving support. Cr. Low thought the council should be consistent. When the River commission sat, the council had opposed supporting the scheme. Cr. Eliott: But they were asking for £IO.OOO then!

The council decided to send a delegate and Or. Eliott was appointed. Cr. Hodgens then moved that the delegate bo instructed not to commit the council. He stated that ho had confidence in Cr. Eliott in other matters but not in this particular matter, in view of the fact that he had somersaulted.

The Mayor said he was quite sure Cr. Elliot knew the desires of the council and had confidcnco in him as its representative. Cr. Hodgens: Then I withdraw my motion on your assurance but will you please tell the council what the delegate’s instructions are? Tho Mayor: That he is to carry the moral support of tho council only and in no way to commit the council to any expenditure whatever. Cr. Hodgens asked that his vote against the proposal to send a delegate bo minuted.