DIVERTING WAIHOU RIVER

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 9, 10 January 1918, Page 4

DIVERTING WAIHOU RIVER

GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL

OBJECTIONS BY SETTLERS.

The' suggestion .of the Public Work* Department to make a cutting on thi "Waihou River, thereby cutting off the Waimarie 'bend, neaf Hikutaia, wu again before the Auckland Provincial Executive of the Farmere' Union at it» meeting to-day.

A deputation of settlers waited on the Executive at the last meeting requesting that the Union assist them in an endeavour to get the canal project blocked. -

A committee consisting of Major Lusk and Mr. Bowler were appointed to investigate and report.

They visited the locality on January, 2, 3, and 4, and their report was submitted to to-day's meeting, recommending that the Executive take such steps that will strongly influence the Government to hold up the cutting of the canal,and adopt instead the recommendation of the Royal Commission of 1910, that two powerful dredges be obtained and placed on the river to keep the channel clear.

It was resolved that the Minister of Public Works be written to enclosing* the protest of the settlers interested against the cutting of the canal, and a copy of the committee's report, • and asking what reasons there are that this woTk be carried out,, which, win evidently cause very great hardship and loss to many settlers; also that copies be sent to the Minister of Agriculture asking him to take steps to delay this, work for further inquiry.