WHAT HAS IT DONE?

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 94, 15 January 1926, Page 4

WHAT HAS IT DONE?

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVERS BOARD

ITS EXISTENCE CRITICISED

Some tcise comment was levelled at the Manawatu -Orou a Rivers Board when it held the first monthly meeting of the year yesterday at Palmerston North. A deputation of residents from Rangiotu waited upon the board regarding an erosion in the stop-bank on the Oroua River just above Mangawhata. The discussion was in the first instance brought about by a letter “ on J the Sluggish River Board stating that there existed a vefv weak point in the stop-bank' on the Oroua River just above Mangawhata and that the works of that board were in danger of being damaged in the event of the river breaking through at the point mentioned. The Mpnawatu-Oroua Board was asked what action it intended* to take in order to avert the threatening danger. A deputation of residents from Rangiotu, the district primarily concerned, waited upon the boat'd to state their case. Mr. R. E. Dixon,..the principal Spokesman, stated that the bank at the point mentioned had been eroded up to half its height and required immediate repairs. Mr. W. S. Carter, chairman of the board, said that whilst they would be glad to assist in the matter, they were in the difficulty of having no njoney. Mt. Dixon: Like myself. The chairman remarked that in a somewhat similar case it had. been necessary to pass the hat round. Mr. Dixon: What are We paying rates for? . . , „ The chairman said that he hoped the River Board spheme would be proceeded with to obviate further trouble. Until'the River Board commenced operations there was little chance of assisting the deputation in their quest. Mr. Dixon asked whether temporary measures could not be undertaken by the board. , This request, howeycr, met with no better icsponse. In reply to a question from Mr. Dixon as to whether the board would stop any private action taken by the residents, the chairman stated that although the board had power to do so, it would not be exercised unless r .uch work interfered, with their plans. The engineer stated that tne break was in a very dangerous position, and made the propertv-owners likely to sustain a flood at any time. Some means would have to be devised to block’ the eroded portion. That if the bank were not stopped shortly the whole of Mtldford’s property might be flooded was the opinion of Mr. E. C. Print. . In reply to Mr. Buchanan, the chairman said' that the Manawatu-Oroua Board had not -yet begun to function, bevond the collection of rates. , Mr. Dixon: The board has not justified its existence. Mr Carter Stated that the general public were not altogether aware of the numerous difficulties under which the board had laboured, and the exact amount of work it had actually done The board could not fly without feathers, and so far it had no money.Mr. Dixon: You started well, but, lik- the horse, , came to a sudden stop. The chairman, in maintaining thatthe board had done the best possible, added that the members, so far as he knew, had paid all their own expenses when attending conferences, and had given a great deal of valuable time to board matters. . After further discussion, the chairman stated that the question of repairing the stop bank was a matter for the Sluggish River Board and the ManawatuOroua River Board could not undertake the work for the sake of pleasing ratepayers in the vicinity of Rangiotu. All rates had been collected for a specific purpose, and they could not be spent in any other direction. . Mr. Dixon: We cannot get anything out of vou, so will you give the Sluggish River Board directions not to stop residents taking action in the matter, Mr. Carter thought the board mentioned would not 'hinder the residents hi any action they took. After members of the deputation had retired, it was decided that the _Mana-watu-Oroua Board’s engineer. Air F. C., Hay, be instructed to visit the locality to make an estimate of the cost of the work required in order that the matter might be placed before the ratepayers concerned.