LAND DRAINAGE SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 15

LAND DRAINAGE SCHEME

WAITOA RIVER DISTRICT GOVERNMENT'S OFFER OF AID [BY TELEGRAPH OWN correspondent] TE AROHA, Thursday Following lengthy negotiations, the Thames Valley Drainage Board has received advice from .the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, in reference to the proposed scheme for clearing the Waitoa River and unwatering a considerable area of rich but lowlying land that under present conditions lies waterlogged for the greater part of the year. According to departmental reports, states the Minister, the cost of the work will be £6720. The Unemployment Board has agreed to subsidise the labour charges, but such subsidy would still leave a sum of £3200 to be found from other sources. If the Drainage Board was prepared to find half this sum, £I6OO, Cabinet approval could be expected and the work put in hand at an early date. The matter was considered at to-day's meeting of the Drainage Board, when members expressed the general opinion that though the finding of £I6OO would be a difficult matter, the Government's offer was too good to miss in view of the great improvement to the district's drainage facilities that would result. It was pointed out that in one instance, 1400 acres of useless area could bo transformed into rich country of considerable value. Little more than £1 an acre over this area alone would cover the entire cost of the board's contribution It was decided to call a special meeting to discuss methods of raising the £I6OO.