FLOOD DAMAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 17

FLOOD DAMAGE

REPAIRING BRIDGES NO GOVERNMENT GRANT SOUTHLAND COUNCIL PROTESTS ■ [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] INVERCARGILL, Friday For the first time in the history of the Southland County Council, it is claimed, the Government has declined assistance to the council toward the cost of repairing flood damage to bridges. In March application was made for a grant for repairing damage caused bv floods in February. To-day at a meeting of the council a reply was received from the Hon. P. C. Webb, who wrote on behalf of the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Seinple, stating that the cost of repairs was well within the council's finances and that the assistance sought could not be recommended. "It is the first time in history within my memory that we have not had a subsidy on flood damage to bridges," commented Mr. W. M. Norman. "It is absolutely ridiculous to sav that our finances are all right. They don't know what they are talking about and we should make a protest." The chairman Mr. A. S. McNaught: The Minister docs not know anything about our finances when he talks like that. Not half of our financial year has gone and already we have got an overdraft at the bank. We should protest and make ourselves heard. It was decided to inform the Minister that the county was not in a strong position and to renew the applica- | tion for assistance.