LOCAL NEEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 16

LOCAL NEEDS

HEQUESTS TO HINISTEE CLEARING WAITOA RIVER ; . : : —• ' . TRAFFIC ON COUNTRY ROADS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] '< TE AROHA, Friday - A request for a subsidy to assist in clearing the Waitoa River from its junction with the Piako River as far as Me! 1 ins Bridge to prevent winter flooding was made to the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, by the Thames "Valley Drainage Board at T6 Aroha this morning. The board asked for a subsidy at the rate of £J for £1 on the cost of tho work, estimated at £llOO a year, for two years, and for £2 for £1 for the following three years. The chairman, Mr. F. E. Hughes, said that at tho end of tho five, years only maintenance would be involved, and it was not anticipated that any Government aid would then bo required. Tho board had bought a dredge, but as the Waitoa River formed an arterial route for the lesser drains, it might bo regarded as a main highway ahd therefore as deserving of a Government subsidy. 1 • , Need for Thorough Job The Minister, who inspected the district this afternoon, said he was anxious to see the job done thoroughly, and promised to communicate his decision to Mr. R. Coulter, M.P., .Mayor of/lo Arolia. • VI agree' that it is no good doing the upper reaches of a river and leaving the lower reaches half done, or not done at all," the Minister said. "We have many jobs in this country where such blunders have been made, and we have made up our minds that in future these drainage problems have to be tackled from their source." The Minister congratulated the board on what it had done, and said he was anxious to help local bodies which were prepared to contribute their share. The clearing of willows from the Waihou River in the Piako County was sought by the Piako County Council. Speakers considered that tho work was one of national importance. Other requests were for road and bridge improvements. Question of Maintenance

"According to statements made, it is nobody's responsibility to do the maintenance when the river is cleared," said the Minister. "We are not going to . throw away £25,000 of public money. Someone has to take the responsibility after the money has been spent." Objection was made to the heavy loading permitted by the Transport Department on certain classified roads. The county chairman, Mr. W. C. Kennedy, drew attention to the serious effect of '4s-ton axle loads on fourth class roads. Ho said that many of the roads in the country were swamp a few years ago, and would not stand up to such loads. He asked, therefore, that a subsidy of £1 f.or each £1 spent by the local body on roads other than main highways should be made available^

The Minister aaid he would consider the representations made. He reiterated his determination to give access to backblock settlers.

MR. SULLIVAN IN TARANAKI PETROL AND SEA EROSION [BY TELEGRAPH—PBESS ASSOCIATION] NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday 4 The Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who, accompanied by Mr. G. H. Mackley, general manager of railways, is visiting New Plymouth, had a number of requests placed beforo him to-day by deputations Mr. Sullivan was asked to undertake as a national work the prevent tionof . erosion by the sea. which is damaging private property arid threatening the main railway line; to provide improved railway yard facilities at New Plymouth; and to explain the arrangement between the Railway Department and the petrol companies, as a result of which, and because petrol from all companies but one is railed from Wellington, Taranaki consumers are paying twopence a gallon more than those in Wellington. Mr. Sullivan, who is also Minister of Commerce, said the contract with the oil companies would expire this year, and it was open to the Taranaki people to persuade all the companies to import in bulk through New Plymouth. * u

The Minister was impressed with the danger of the sea erosion, as pointed out in the representations.