Sufferers From Floods.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3845, 28 July 1908, Page 4

Sufferers From Floods.

A deputation waited upon the Prime Minister, to ask that assistance should be granted to the sufferers from the recent heavy floods or* the Taieri Plains, in Otago. Mr Donald Reid, M.l\. said the disaster had proved the most serious that had ever affected the district, and while the settlers had in the past always faced their own troubles they thought that the Government should assist in the present instance. The damage already known was estimated at £sooo* The Prime Minister said the Government would give assistance, but he wanted to be satisfied that when help was given to the sufferers the Government would not be asked to undertake works that should be placed on the Public Works Estimates in the ordinary way. He hoped during the next day or two to have the amount of the special grant fixed byCabinet and authorised, to that help might be given without delay. At a meeting of Cabinet held later, the Government decided that it would grant to the Taieri County Council a pound for pound subsidy on the money expended in repairing the damage done by the Hood up to £4OOO. In other words, the Government will pay half of any sum that may be expended up to £BOOO. Cabinet also decided that a sum of £IOOO should be granted to the Taieri Drainage Board towards the cojt of works rendered necessary by the flood. The Departmental officers will be instructed to confer with the local authorities at once on the matter.