TAIERI ' PLAIN FLOODS

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 65

TAIERI ' PLAIN FLOODS

GENEROUS GOVERNMENT OFFER. (From Qcb Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. July 19. Mr J. M‘C. Dickson (member for Chalmers! has received the following letter from the lion. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works): — With reference to the damage done on the Taieri Plains and the applications for assistance, I have to advise you that the Government will assist as follows : 1. The damages to the existing work, though small in detail are large in the aggregate, amounting to £7CO9. These have been fully reported on by the District Engineer, in consultation with the . Board. I believe the total estimated cost of repairs is £7OOO. The Government will find £ for £ on this expenditure, and it is understood that the Board will carry out, and is in fact now carrying out the work, and the £ for £ subsidy will be paid on the same basis as other £ for £ grants. 2. In- connection with the major question of protecting the Plain against future floods, the Government has agreed to find half the cost of the scheme up to an estimated cost of £150,000. The intention of the Government is that it will carry out the works, and that when these are nearing completion the Board will then raise its quota and repay the Government to enable this to be done. The Board is, as early as possible, to take a poll of its ratepayers, which poll will be, if successful, the Board’s authority to raise £75,000; but it is not- the intention of the Government that the Board shall be required t-o pay this £75,000 until, as indicated above, the works are approaching completion. I trust this supplies the information which you desire. The member for the district realises that a very generous offer has been made. The prompt result and the success of the application are no doubt largely attributable to the fact that Mr Dickson was able to get the Prime Minister to visit the district, so that he might see the actual position for himself. Mr Massey, being himself a practical farmer, quickly realised the possibilities, and the advantages to the Taieri district and Otago as a whole, if the works were promptly undertaken on sound lines.