SCHEME HELD UP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 137, 13 June 1933, Page 3

SCHEME HELD UP.

AWAKINO DRAINAGE. NORTHERN WAIROA PROBLEM. PROPERTY OWNERS' OBJECTIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) DAEGAVILLE, Monday. Xo progress was made at a meeting convened by the county chairman, Mr. V. Trounson, to discuss the improvement of the drainage of the Awakino Stream. Sir. S. L. Spanhake, county engineer, apologised for the absence of the chairman, and Mr. S. A. Lewis was voted to the chair.

The county engineer said it was not the intention of the council to proceed with the scheme unless the settlers were unanimous. The county would not consider anything in the nature of payment of compensation for land or water rights. A petition, signed by CO per cent of the settlers in the area, holding 00 per cent of the land, was presented, asking for the formation of a drainage area. The county had no money to waste, nor had the ratepayers, in lighting any Court actions. The area in the watershed was approximately 50 square miles, and about 1300 acres were directly afi'ccted by Hooding. The present route for water by the Awakino Stream was live miles, which would be reduced to two anil a half miles. would have to agree to find the cost of housing and tools for a relief workers' camp, as provided by the regulations. The county would carry out engineering and survey work. To date no engineering or survey work had been done on the creek. Provision would bo made for the draining of subsidiary streams running into the Awakino.

After discussion, Mr. Aickinliead (representing the Dargaville Flaxmifling Company, Ltd.) and Mr. C. Stanaway intimated that there was ne prospect of agreeing to any scheme for dewatering the valley. The Flaxmilling Company was of the opinion that an occasional flooding area was not detrimental. Mr. Stanaway objected on the grounds that his land would receive no benefit.

A motion that a drainage area be formed was moved by Mr. S. McCullough, but was not put owing to the opposition of the two owners mentioned.

Mr. Lewis intimated that lie was sure the Dadley estate would agree to corne into the area if formed.

A vote of thanks was accorded to the county engineer for the information he had given. Mr. McCullough, in expressing regret at the deadlock, said that Mr. M. Karlson had informed him that 40 years ago his tender had been accepted by the county for putting in-a cut such-as was proposed that day, but owing to one settler not subscribing his quota of £5 the scheme had lapsed. He hoped they would not have to wait another 40 years.

The engineer said that ho did not think a smaller scheme suitable for those settlers at the bottom end of the creek would lie possible in view of theopposition of Mr. Stanaway. However, settlers could think the matter over, and perhaps they could persuade Mr. Stanaway to reconsider his views.