ASSISTANCE' PROMISED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16503, 31 March 1917, Page 6

ASSISTANCE' PROMISED.

REPAIRING flood damage. MINISTER'S VISIT TO THAMES. |BT TELEGRAPH. — ajRRESPOVDE.VT.] THAMES, Friday. An inspection of the damage ■: -used at Thames by the recent flood was mads to-day by the Minister for Public Works, the Hun. W. Kraser, who wa- accompanied by the district engineer, Mr. G. T. Murray. They were met by the Mayor and members of the Borough Council and shown the most seriously-damaged portions of the borough, including Tamil, Shellback, Moanatairi, Waiotahi, Karakii and Hape Creeks, all of which had deposited considerable quantities of silt and ! boulder' over the surrounding roads. The I site of the suggested retaining dam, which it i.- proposed to construct across tho Karaka, Creek to impound the silt and gravel in the upper portions of the creek, was also inspected. The Minister and the engineer both expressed approval of the scheme. The Minister met the council in tho afternoon at the council chamber. He said his visit to the district was an indication of the sympathetic feelings of the Government. He assured the council that) it was also intended that its sympatic should take a practical form. A sum iS £1000 had been voted as a subsidv ou the £1000 already spent by the council. Th? 6 amount was merely a preliminary vote for pressing requirements. When he returned to Wellington a decision would be made with regard to further assistance- to be granted, of which tho council would receive due notice. A deputation from the Thames County Council was also received. The chairman, Mr. R. W. Bagnall, asked for assistance to repair damage by recent floods to roads and bridges as follows Thames to Wai. kavau Road, £750; Puru Creek Road, £20; Matatoki Bridge, £60; MaUtoki Road, £40; Kauaeranga Valley Road, £90; Kauaeranga-Tairua Road, £70; Puriri-Nevesville Road. £320; a total of £1330. The Minister said he recognised the need for assistance and agreed to give a subsidy of £1 for £1 for these works. The engineer was authorised to pay tha subsidy as the work was dene to his satisfaction. Mr. Bapnall asked for further assistance towards repairs required to the Coast Road, but the Minister said he could not see his way to grant further aid, as tha money was not available. Assistance was also asked for repairs to various creek roads in the district, which were estimated to cost £1875. The Minister explained that these roads wera under the jurisdiction of the Minister for Mines. He promised to submit the mailer to him on his return t./ Wellington.