A DRAINAGE PROPOSAL

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 168, 18 July 1910, Page 8

A DRAINAGE PROPOSAL

LOWERING THE WAIKATO RTVER. A proposal to form an association for the purpose of furthering a scheme to deepen by dredging the Waikato River, 60 that v large area of low-lying land in the vicinity could be effectively drained/ was considered by a large meeting of landowners, held in the Railway Hotel, Mercer, on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Arthur Glass, the convener. stated that Sir Joseph Ward had been approached to have a detailed survey oi" the district .prepared, and though he declined, he sen: up Mr. Breakell, who ■went through all the various parts from the Wihanganiarhio Swamp to the Waikato Heads. Finding that the Whangamaxinu Swamp could not be drained without lowering the river. Mr. Breakell made a survey of its lower reaches, and considered that by dredging, or in some way lowering, the river between Mercer and the Waikato Heads a considerable drop in the river would take place. Unfortunately, Mr. Breakcll's report could not be presented to the meeting, as it had not been mad.- public, but lie had every rear-on to say that it would be quite up to the mo<t sanguine hopes of concerned, and that when it was published the value of all properties within a largo radius would be greatly enhanced He proposed that all those who owned land in the district, or would be benefited by the scheme, should pay a small subscription so as to meet expenses and pay a secretary. He suggested that any holdings under 50 acres should pay ."./-'subscription, over 50 and under 10o" 10/-, over 100 and under 1,000 1:V-, over 1.000 and under 2.000 20/-, and over 20.000 acres 25/-. He considered that it would be advisable to ask the Minister for Lands to give the services of a staff surveyor to be at the disposal of the Association for the purpose of defining the area of land within the district, and then the Association would •be in a position to approach the Government and make proposals and suggestions, and generally to get the scheme •in a fair way to go straight ahead. Mr. Glass said that no details could be gone into at tliis time, and all the meeting would 'have to do was to get things started and afterwards keep it going. Tliis scheme apparently was far more feasible than the draining of the Hauraki Plains had seemed when it was first mooted. it was suggested in the course of the discussion that followed that the Government should undertake the survey work as their share of the initial scheme. the landowners interested bearing the rest of the expenses. This matter was left to the working committee. Mr. Glass mentioned that Messrs. Massey. Greenslade and Lang, M.P.'s, and others had rendered the movement good service and Mr. Massey had promised to do -what he could in Parliament in the interests of the Association. The meeting decided upon forming an Association for the purpose of advancing a scheme for draining all the low-lying lands within reach of the Waikato River, to be called -the Waikato Drainage Association. Officers were then elected. Mr. Glas; was appointed chairman of the Association, and Mr. R. E. Beamish secretary Messrs. C. R. Walker (Auckland), Geo Walker (Tuakau), Henry Coultas (Mercer), AVest (Pukekohe), Douglas Hunter (Maramarua), J. Dean, jun (Pokeno). J. M. Hill (Maungatawhiri) J. G. Gla.-s (Wairangi), and Galler\ (Mercer) were appointed a committee with power to add to their number. Mr C. R. Walker was elected hon. solicitor and Mr. Gallery treasurer. The committee was recommended te ask the Minister for Lands that the ser vices of Mr. Warren, of the District Sur veys Office, lie placed at the committee's disposal until all the information re quired is obtained. It was agreed that a public meetim be held every fortnight on Saturday afternoon. Several subscriptions wen received during antl after the meeting