TAIERI FLOOD PROTECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 41

TAIERI FLOOD PROTECTION.

DEPUTATION’S REPORT CONSIDERED. -FLORENCES TO RIVER TRUST. Over 20 ratepayers of the Taieri River Trust attended the meeting at Momona on Saturday night to receive the report of the deputation that waited on the Prime Minister in Wellington in connection with a scheme for ensuring the Taieri Plain’s freedom from floods. The chair was occupied by Mr A. W. Amos. Mr A. P. Fleming, who was one of the deputation, briefly outlined the decision of the previous meeting of ratepayers. He mentioned that, as requested, the Trust had paid all the expenses of the deputation. When air Massey was waited on Mr It. T. Sadd, chairman of the Trust, had put forward the Trust’s proposals. ihe speaker and Mr Reid had then spoken. Mr Massey was quite sympathetic to the proposal that the Government should take over the land, but he said that his advisors were against it. On the deputation waiting on the chiefs of the Lands and Public Works Departments, and members of the Cabinet and Parliamentarians, this was found to be the case. The deputation had then, in accordance with its instructions, asked that the Government pay 75 per cent of the cost of the work, the settlers to provide the remainder. Mr Massey had stated that, with no desire to reflect on public bodies, he did not believe in their undertaking tasks of such magnitude, and the proposal had been made that the Government give £75,000, and the settlers a like amount, the Government to be charged their share pro rata as the work proceeded. Mr D. Ford, another member of tile deputation, said that it had been evident that the £75,000 was the best the settlers could expect from the Government. The impression he gathered was that the work would be paid for as it went on, but he thought it would be possible to go on with the work without the expenditure of a great deal at one time. Mr W. S. Reid, who also went to Wellington, said that it had been distinctly understood that no interest would be charged until the works were completed or almost completed. It was when they were talking with the engineers that this point was raised, but, on going back to Mr Massey, be remarked that it might be necessary for the settlers to raise up to £30,000 at a time. Mr W. Bryant was informed Ay Mr Fleming that, the Government would have the handling of the ratepayers’ money. In reply to another questioner Mr Fleming stated that there were 18,000 acres in the Trust area that could bo rated under the present conditions. This meant, taking a flat rate for the sake of argument, that the land would be rated on something like five shillings per acre. The rating, however, was a matter for the trust. Perhaps, suggested Mr B.ryant. Mr Ford would be at liberty to say something on the point. Mr Ford said that he was net at liberty. Mr W. Baird declared that, if the new rate was imposed and the old rates kept on, it would be too much. He asked if there was a man in the room who could pay 17s or 18s rates and £2 per acre rent? “I’m sure that I for one won’t do it at any rate,” he added. "I would roll my swag and get out.’’—(Laughter.) Mr Bryant suggested that the meeting adjourn as it was not very representative. Mr Fleming agreed that nothing binding could be done, but it was thought that it was only fair for the deputation to make a report. lie mentioned that the motion from the Trust that the Government should build a railway bank from Otokia to iitri and that, practically, the ratepayers should do the most of the work, put forward by Mr Sadd was put forward without the knowledge of the other members of the deputation until Mr Sadd was speaking. It rather took “the wind out of their sails,” and rendered much of their argument useless. Mr Fleming said that he would like to mention that the amount of £75,000 had never been offered by the Government in like manner before. The size of the offer was greatly due to the fact, he was sure, that Mr Massey had had the opportunity of seeing the plain. It would have paid them to spend £IOOO in getting the members of the Cabinet to the scene. —(‘Hear, hear.”) Mr Reid also expressed regret at the action of the Trust. He thought that at least it might- have asked the Government that no interest on the expenditure be charged until the work was completed in the event of a £ for £ subsidy being granted on the work—its alternative proposal. The Chairman said that the position, as it appeared to him, was that the Trust would now classify the land and that the question would then go to the poll. The hope was expressed by Mr A. Moore that something would be done. If they went on having successive floods they would add to their rates whether they liked it or not. The point was raised by Mr Bryant that, unless the river banks were looked after better, there would be no guarantee that the plain would be? - freed from floods even if the works were carried out. The unairman remarked that drainage rates were paid, but little attention seemed to be given to the banks. Were the settlers supposed to go down and watch the banks every time the river rose! “What do we pay our engineer for?” asked someone. “That’s what I want to know,” replied the chairman. In reply to a question, Mr Fleming said that the intention was to carry out the works on the basis of the report of the commission of 1920. The works brought under the Public Works Engineer’s notice particularly included opening up the lakes to a contour channel, opening up Waipori, and strengthening the lake’s embankment, making the railway bank from Otokia to Titri, extending the railway bridge at Outram, and straightening the bank at Outram. Mr Furkert, the Public Works Engineer, had agreed that these works were imperative, and he said that he would proceed with them first. Mr Moore again urged action now that they had a sympathetic Government. Mr Bryant questioned if the Government was sympathetic. Most local bodies could get a £ for £ subsidy and they did not have a claim that the Taieri settlers had owing to the river being silted. The Government had not been very sympathetic in his own case.

Mr Reid said that the deputation had been assured that the Government had never before granted a £ for £ subsidy in

such a large amount. He was, however, sure that if the Government had been approached by the settlers and the Trust with one proposal more would have been granted. Mr Fleming asked Mr Ford when the Trust proposed to take the poll. “In about a month’s time,” renlied Mr Ford. Wh en required information came from ellington, definite steps would be taken. Already men had been approached to take on the work of valuation. Mr Fleming said he understood that the Trust wanted an assurance that the work was to be carried out by the Government. That had been clearly understood bv the deputation, and he though it was' only wasting time to correspond on t-lie matter.— (Applause.) M)' T. Heenan stated that there had Wen a suggestion by the Trust that it should carry out the work. If this was to be done he thought that the people should see that the Trust as at present constituted had nothing to do with the work. —(Applause.) Mr Bryant took exception to the remark, reminding the meeting that the members of the trust had been appointed by the people. It was not fair that a statement of the sort should be made at a public meetMr Moore said that it would probably he impossible to get better men on the Taieri. Mr Ford said that he did not like to see mud being slung at his absent fellow-mem-bers of the Trust. They nil did their best. The Chairman : If an.v district is dissatisfied with its member the remedy is in its hands at (he election. Mr J. A. Sherman moved a vote of thanks to the deputation, this bring carried by acclamation.