PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8600, 29 September 1893, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[By Telegraph.] (from our special correspondent). THE WHAKATANE SWAMP. WELLINGTON, September 28. The report of Mr A. B. "WrigK, sent to ascertain the best mode of draining the Whakatane swamp, taken up by the Canterbury settlers, has been made public. The report says the most feasible plan would be to cut a channel from a bend in the Oringi River, about midway between Whakatane and Matata, through the sandhills to the ocean. At the bend the bed of the river is 2tt sin above low water-mark. This would lower the water in the river sft at least, aud probably drain the lower portions of the swamp on the Whakatane side and the land adjacent to the Rangitikei River. The difficulty will be in keeping the mouth open in summer, when the volume of water is small. It would, therefore, be necessary to help the river to form banks for itself through the lew-lying lands and accentuate all the water available to make it flow into the Rangitikei and out at the new opening. If once the water was allowed to How from one swamp after another till the river is reached a considerable amount of work could be done by the water itself. It would perhaps be advisable to make some retaining works just at the outlet to prevent the water spreading and thus lose its power of forcing through tho accumulation of sand made by gales. This should keep open as easily as Opotiki river does. Besides the question of keeping the new water way open, there will be the question for settlement of the riparian rights of the \arious settlers. The rough cost of constructing the new outlet would be about £2000. The Joint Stock Committee report that they were highly impressed with the good sense, sound treatment aud humanity which Professor Lichtwark's system inculcates, and recommend that the Government assist him in the publication of his work on the taming of horses. The Industrial Conciliation Bill was amended in Committee in the Council tonight by inserting thirteen clauses proposed by Mr Stewart in the direction of providing machinery for Boards of Conciliation. This is certain to form the basis of a conference between the two Houses, and it is exceedingly doubtful whether any satisfactory compromise will be arrived at.