SUBSIDIES FROM GOVERNMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23322, 4 October 1945, Page 4

SUBSIDIES FROM GOVERNMENT

Minister Explains Position Levels County Council Meets I “Subsidies approved by the Government in respect to the restoraI tion of flood damage in South Canterbury are not lump seal payments, but are fixed on a nrtain basis for each county.” This was the text of a letter received from the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Works, by the Levels County Council at its monthly meeting yesterday, in reply to an inquiry from the Council as to the manner in which the subsidies could be lifted. I Mr Semple stated that in the I counties of Levels, Geraldine arid Waimate the rate of subsidy was £ for £ on bridge work, and £1 for £2 on other work, in the Mackenzie County a universal rate of £ for £ for all work had been approved. It would no doubt be apparent that records of the cost of the various items of flood damage to be repaired would have to be available before the subsidies could be secured. The letter was received. On September 5. the debit balance was £8654 6 1 out the receipts since that date of £5347 19 7 the debit dropped to £3306 6 6. Accounts for payment amounted to £4357 5 11 leaving a bank debit as at yesterdays meeting of £7663/12/5. The chairman asked members to note that the debit was creeping up, but he thought that the Council would be able to cope with it satisfactorily. The majority of the correspondence frem ratepayers received by the Council referred to flooding, damage to roads by floodwater and applications for pipes to dram away flood water. “Your riding must be nearly under water," commented the chairman to Cr. R. W. Munro referring to the Pareora riding. A petition signed by 17 ratepayers of Taiko was received. The petitioners stated that they were daily users of Morgan’s Road, and requested that the Council tar-seal or repair that portion of Wai-iti Road to St. Saviour’s Orphanage. It was agreed that the engineer look into the matter. The District Highways Council of the Public Works Department wrote stating that the council had approved the expenditure of £4BO, at a rate of £3 to £l, for the construction of the pilot channel m the Opihi River. Rergarding the Seadown road, the Council acknowledged the receipt of the petition from local residents and users of the road, but regretted that, because of shortage of staff, the matter was not able to be investigated at present. The county’ engineer (Mr E. A. Collins) reported that the only solution to the flooding of the Washdyke Fist road, would appear to be the build! ? up of the road over a length cf si: chains and the placing of pipes uric.: r the fill to allow the surplus water 'o be drained. Any work along the stream bank would be too extensive as the Washdyke stream overflowed right down the fiats. The cost to raise the road would be approximately £lOO. Members commented that at present the flooding was causing great inconvenience to residents. After discussion, it was agreed that the work of raising the road be carried out. Four horses. 27 cows and two steers were reported by the Council ranger (Mr J. F. Black) as having been taken charge.