FLOOD CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23431, 22 August 1939, Page 11

FLOOD CONTROL

PLIGHT OF MANAWATU LARGE AREA USELESS TROUBLES OF SETTLERS DEPUTATION TO MINISTER [nr TFXEGnArrr —own coruf-spondknt] PALMEItSTON NORTH, Monday Flood control matters in Manawatu wcro brought beforo the Minister of Public "Works, tho Hon. R. Seinple, at Shannon by a large deputation of settlers affected by tho river overflowing its banks last week in the Buckley and Moutoa areas, and making thousands of acres of high-class dairying land useless at tho commencement of tho production season. The perilous conditions existing until somo temporary repairs to tho banking systems had been effected were emphasised to tho Minister, who gave the settlers a sympathetic hearing. They also sought acceleration of major proposals in view for tho control of the Mnnatfatu River, and mado a request for immediate financial assistance to tboso settlers whoso homes had been invaded by flood waters. A statement was mado by one speaker that many of tho farmers in the district were facing bankruptcy. 30,000 Acres Still Flooded Mr. W. S. Carter, a mcuiber of tho Manawatu-Oroua River Board, said that it was pitiable to seo the settlers and their stock under tho conditions that wero prevailing. He had been a resident of tho district for GO years, and it was tho worst visitation that he could remember. In all somo 30,000 acres wcro under water even at the present time, and in cases to a depth of 10ft. Tho board had concluded a comprehensive inspection of tho flooded areas. Ho had spoken to a man who had two herds of cows and had only on aero of dry ground to feed them on. Somo said that the dairy season was ended as far as they were conI cernod, and ho know* that they were speaking tho truth. Mr. Carter said ho recognised that engineers of tho Public Works Department wero formulating a largo scheme, but somo temporary assistance* was necessary if tho districts wero to carry on. The repairing of tho banks would cost. a lot of money. At present a 10ft. rise at Palmorston North would cause water to flow through gaps in the banks and flood the land afresh. Mr. P. J. Law said that to place tho banks in a temporary state of repair at Buckley, where the railway line to Wellington was exposed, would cost £3OOO. " Cruel Circumstances "

"I am very soriw to meet you here in theso very adverse and cruel circumstances," said the Minister. "No ono can foresee a calamity of this type. It is, I understand, the worst that there has been.'' He added that lie had just been taking farmers out of tho snow in the South Island at not a penny cost to them. His department was' fully aware of tho dangers of tho river and was busy with a major scheme. He outlined the powers ho proposed to take under legislation he was introducing to regidariso flood control on a national basis, and said that so far 110 scientific attempt had been made to deal with tho problem. They wanted everyone to realiso that there ■was a job of work to do, and that they were only trustees, and the least that they could do was to leave the heritage they enjoyed for their children and not allow it to bo washed down into the Tasman or tho Pacific. As far as tho present damage was concerned, added Nlr. Semplo, ns soon as ho had an accurate estimate of the cost of effecting repairs ho would bo able to givo them some help. Financial Assistance In connection with the request for financial assistance, tho Minister said ho could make no promise. Tlo could only spend money that had _ been authorised by Parliament, and in the case of a calamity such as this the Cabinet had always been generous and it would bo for them to say what they would do. It would bo necessary for settlers to mako personal applications. They were not going to see anyone driven off their farms or from their homes. He was satisfied that they would do for these people what they alwavs had done for others. "When *Mr. A. P. Grant, public works "ivcr investigation engineer, tells mo what it all means I will get on with tho job," added tho Minister. "That docs not get away from tho major scheme. You can bank with this river until the crack of doom. Tho major scheme has to bo tackled. It is far better to apply a remedy instead of tinkering with causes."