WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20893, 24 November 1937, Page 3

WAIMATE

MORVEN DRAINAGE SCHEME

LOAN OFFER MADE Negotiations for the raising of a loan to finance the Morven drainage scheme have been advanced a stage further with the offer to the Waimate County Council of a loan by the State Advances Corporation.

The Corporation offers a loan of £3300 for a term of 15 years on a 25year table at 3) per cent., provided that the balance due at the expiration of 15 years is met in one sum. The Local Government Loans Board previously gave consent to the raising of a loan on a 30-year term, on condition that provision was made for a sinking fund of not less than 2 per cent, per annum.

The question whether the loan offered by the State Advances Corporation is acceptable or not will be considered by the County Council at its meeting on Monday next. The object of the proposed scheme is to drain the water from the watershed above the Dog Kennel and Broad Gully areas, and take It to the sea by a definite channel instead of allowing it to flood as at present. At the meeting of the Council in November last year a deputation of ratepayers from the area waited on the Council soliciting its support in furthering the scheme. Mr P. J. Foley, leader of the deputation, then stated that in July, 1935, representations had been made to the Minister of Public Works, after which a survey had been carried out, plans prepared and an engineer’s report submitted. The cost originally was to be £7200, of which the Government offered to provide £2400. This was not acceptable, and after further representations the Government offered a £ for £ subsidy. A modification of the original plan had reduced the estimated cost to £6600. The Coumil referred the matter back to the ratepayers with a recommendation that certain field work be carried out.

At a subsequent meeting the Council received a petition from the ratepayers which was approved, and it was decided to constitute a special drainage district and steps for the raising of a loan of £3300 was authorised.

The negotiations over the raising of the loan l.as held up the commencement of the scheme, and the delay has caused some concern to settlers in the district. A good deal of cropping has been done, and it was hoped that the drain would be put through before summer floods are likely to occur. If the loan proposal is approved by the Council the ratepayers of the area, with the support of the Council, will in all probability request the Public Works Department to treat the work as urgent.

ARNO INSTITUTE Mrs Fitzsimmons presided at the monthly meeting of the Arno Women's Institute, which was held in the Amo Hall. An invitation was received from the Waituna Institute to attend its birthday party. The competitions resulted: Best bloom, senior, Mrs Meredith 1. Mrs Coskerie 2, Mrs Fitzsimmons 3; junior. Daphne Thomas 1, Jean Thomas 2, Margaret Elliot 3. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses.

PERSONAL Mr and Mrs T. Fade left Waimate recently for Auckland. Mr and Mrs Lloyd Betten are at present visiting Auckland.

Miss Jean McKenzie, of Christchurch, visited Waimate yesterday. Miss Joyce Ford, who spent a short visit as the guest of Mrs H. Bishop. Waimate, has returned home.

Mr Sydney Bartos, of Christchurch, was successful in the recent examinations, gaining his L.R.S.M. in singing. Mr Bartos is a son of Mr and Mrs Bartos, Waimate.

Inspector Shanahan, of Timaru, was in Waimate yesterday, when he made an inspection of the local police station. He also paid a visit of inspection to the St. Andrews and Glenavy stations.

The Rev. A. H. McC. Acheson and Mrs Acheson, who have been visiting Britain, are returning to New Zealand by the Arawa, due in Wellington on December 4.