WATER BOARD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 6

WATER BOARD

ADDITIONS TO WATERSHED AREA CAUTION URGENT The Wellington City, and Suburban Water Board met yesterday. There were present .Mr. G. A. Troup (chairman), Messrs. 11. D. Bennett, 11. A. Huggins, C. D Morpeth (Wellington), W T. Strand (Lower Hutt), J. McKenzie (I’ctone), I’. Robertson (Upper Hutt). A report upon the subject of the city valuer obtaining information in reference to proposed additions to the watershed area was considered in committee. On resuming in open board, Mr. J. McKenzie urged caution in the acquisition of land either for water conservation or for bringing about the extinction of milling rights. Tlie members of the board, he said, should be fully informed of any expenditure that was contemplated, as the burden on the people might become too heavy. The board had already a large area of land for water conservation purposes. There were other lands under consideration which be did not think it necessary that the board should acquire. The Mayor said tlm information would be supplied to members of tlie board. The mutter was coming before the Local Bills Committee as to the giving of power to the board to purchase lands. In regard to the report which had been placed before them that morning, Mr. Troup said it 'was simply that the city valuer should report certain information to them.

Mr. Morpeth said the policy of the board was to conserve the bush, and there was a strong public feeling that the bush in this area should not be disturbed. Mr. Strand agreed that without the fullest information before them the cost of the work they desired to do might be too heavy to bear. If the board had the full facts laid before them and what it really meant when worked out they would find that they would be able to obtain many thousands of acres for a nominal sum if they dealt with it in a reasonable manner. But if they tried to purchase milling rights for extinction it would be one of the dearest things the board could possibly undertake. He thought they could acquire al! they wanted or desired and still preserve the financial resources of the board. He would like to have the information from the city valuer, . who should be given authority to obtain all the particulars he required. The report was adopted.