BIG DRAINAGE SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21276, 1 September 1932, Page 12

BIG DRAINAGE SCHEME

TAUPIRI SWAMP AREA WORK INVOLVING £BO,OOO RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday After reconsidering the Government's offer to provide £70,000 for the engagement of unemployed labour on the comprehensive scheme for the drainage of the Taupiri swamp, on condition that an additional £IO,OOO was found by the local ratepayers, the Taupiri Drainage and River Board, at a special meeting to-day, decided to accept the Government's terms and to take the necessary steps for the commencement of the scheme.

When the proposals were considered by the board on July 15 it was decided not to accept the department's terms, but to agree to a proposal which would provide for a contribution from the ratepayers not exceeding instalments of one-eighth of the amount expended by the Public Works Department from time to time, these instalments to continue until the completion by the department of all the drains in the consolidated country, provided that the total of such instalments did not exceed one-eighth of the amount specified in the estimates. The position was reviewed by the board to-day in committee. The board decided to withdraw its counter-proposals and to accept the Government's offer. It was decided to request that the drainage of the Uapoto area and the improvement of the northern outlet should be included in the scheme, and that the drainage of the Ten Foot area should be excluded. The board has applied to the Local Government Loans Board for authority to raise the £IO,OOO required. Members expressed the hope that tho work would be well under way before the summer.