IMPROVEMENT OF LAND BY DRAINAGE AND OTHER WORKS. Memo. by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

until the scheme is completed. Consequently, these schemes have had to be financed by Drainage Authorities for the most part out of bank overdraft and in cases where they have large commitments in respect of their Main Rivers and watercourses they have found difficulty in raising the necessary sums. This has been the case particularly with the Great Ouse Catchment Board, who are preparing several schemes in the upland parts of the Catchment Area. 4. I propose, therefore, that in these cases I should be empowered to advance to the Catchment Board or other Drainage Authority the whole estimated cost of the scheme as it proceeds, leaving the Drainage Authority to repay one-half of the total cost as and when amounts are collected from the landowners concerned.