RIVER STRAIGHTENING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19134, 1 October 1936, Page 12

RIVER STRAIGHTENING

PREVENTION OF FLOODS

W HOSE RESPONSIBILITY ?

STATEMENT BY MINISTER (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Tu a question io the Minister of Public Works in the House of Representatives, Mr. E. L, Cullen (Lab. Hawke’s Bay) asked whether in view if a great deal of damage that was being done by streams that are flowing tlirough go.od flat areas of land in New Zealand, causing constant flooding from time to time, and destroying property as well as country and private roads, the Minister will consider such work a national one, and take out and completely destroy all trees as well as straighten streams where necessary, so that all such areas could be brought into production and adjacent roads safeguarded. The Hon. R. Semple, in a written answer to-day, stated that the work to which the question refers is one of great magnitude and the menace of obstructed waterways.is an increasing one by reason of the uncontrolled and rapid growth .of willows. The maintenance of rivers and streams is, speaking generally, as much a function of a local authority and of tho settlers, as is the maintenance of roads. Local authorities have ample statutory authority for this purpose. It would not be possible for the Government to assume responsibility for all this class of work. “There arc, however, certain areas where the problem is a major one,’? said the Minister. “I have been giving consideration to certain of these large areas with a view to getting out a scheme ,of works and finance, so that, the works could bo carried out by the co-operation of the Government and local authorities.” *