WAIHOPAI RIVER

Southland Times, Issue 22896, 22 May 1936, Page 11

WAIHOPAI RIVER

Straightening The Stream SCHEME APPROVED The question whether a loan should be raised to straighten and deepen the Waihopai River between Elies Road and Kennington in order to relieve flooding was discussed last night at Myross Bush at a meeting of Awarua Riding ratepayers owning property along the river in that region. After the financial consideration involved had been examined, the meeting, over whom the member for the riding (Mr A. J. McNaught) presided, expressed itself in favour of the scheme provided a substantial Government subsidy is forthcoming. The chairman said that some two years ago a meeting had been held to discuss the question of the Waihopai River protection works and it was then decided to hold over the matter for two years. That time had now expired. Both Messrs H. C. Gimblett (county clerk) and G. R. Milward (county engineer) were present and would be only too willing to supply any information available.

Mr Milward explained that the old estimates given from time to time for the work had varied considerably. At the present time, he considered the estimate would vary between £3OOO and £6OOO. That was from Elies Road to Kennington. The job would have to be passed by the Public Works Department to satisfy the Loans Board. If the ratepayers decided to go on with the work it seemed possible that the present Government might subsidize it. Question of Payment. A ratepayer: If the Public Works Department carried out the job, would we have to pay it? The chairman said he thought payment would have to be made. Mr Milward said it was doubtful if the City Council would contribute anything towards the cost. No indication of its attitude had yet been given by the council. He thought maintenance charges could be put down at £5O a year.

The county clerk explained that the interest and sinking fund would be £212 a year, exclusive of the maintenance costs.

“It is all a matter of cost,” declared Mr T. Hubber. “If the City Council would help lower down and if the Government would grant a subsidy it would lighten the financial load on the ratepayers.” Mr J. C. Calvert said that times and prices were still as uncertain to-day as two years ago. If, however, Government support would be forthcoming, that would alter the present attitude of several ratepayers in the area who did not favour the scheme. He thought the matter should be held over for a year.

The chairman said that in the first place tenders would have to be called. Once the price was obtained the ratepayers would have to approve of the project, and an application to the Loans Board would follow. That procedure, he said, might involve a delay of some months. *

The county clerk explained that if the Awarua Riding was prepared to bear the cost (about £200) of the preliminary work it could be put in hand immediately. When the estimate was available it would then be placed before the ratepayers for their approval or otherwise. 53 Ratepayers Affected. Mr McNaught said that as the member for the Awarua Riding he could not approve of the suggested expenditure for the preliminary survey. It would not be fair for him to commit the riding as a whole. In reply to a question, the county clerk said that there were 53 ratepayers affected in the area. Of that 53, however, about 20 had only quarter-acre properties. Mr C. Christie emphasized that the scheme should be started as soon as possible. The cost was small in comparison with other works done in Southland and would benefit everyone.

A suggestion was made by Mr Milward that the council should explain the position to the Minister of Public Works asking for an indication whether the Government would subsidize such a class of work. The Minister’s reply could then be communicated to a further meeting. Mr Christie moved that the Government be approached for a grant and that if at least £lOOO were granted, the scheme should be proceeded with. Mr Hubber seconded the motion, which was carried. It was also resolved to approach the Hon. Adam Hamilton and Messrs W. M. C. Denham and J. Hargest, members of Parliament, seeking their support to the application for a grant. Mr Calvert further moved that when the Government’s reply came to hand another meeting should be called to consider it. The motion was carried. A vote of thanks for the interest taken by them in the project was accorded Mr McNaught and the county clerk and the engineer.