THE TAIERI FLOODS

Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 5

THE TAIERI FLOODS

INSPECTION BY PROCTER MY MASSEY SYMPATHETIC, (Per United Press Association). DUNEDIN, June 8. The Premier and Mr Nosworthy visited the Taieri, which is still a scene of delation with 14,000 acres under water and the damage at the lowest estimate is £3OO, 000. Subsequently Mr Massey said in re* spect to roads and bridges the Taieri was not so badly off as some other parts of New Zealand. The Government was up against a very serious loss in connection with roads and bridges, but, fortunately the slump had ended before the floods came along so that he would be able to do more than could have been done 12 months’ ago. He added: “I do not know what the engineers will consider necessary to prevent a recurrence at the Taieri, but we will do our duty.” A deputation from Taieri County asked the Premier for a pound for pound subsidy up to £6,000 and a grant of £5,000 for flood damage. Mr Massey said he would require to see details, but so far as repairs were concerned, the County could get on with them, and the Government would see them through. A representative deputation met the Prime Minister on the general question of Taieri flooding protection measures. Mr Massey made a suggestion that the Govern* ment should take over the land at valuation, do all necessary work, hand it back afterwards as a completed scheme to thoroughly prevent future floods. Several difficulties were mentioned and it was suggested to a deputation that a committee draft a scheme for Parliament’s consideration. In the meantime Mr Massey indicated that there was money in hand to deal with necessary repairs.