DIVIDED OPINION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21923, 18 January 1946, Page 4

DIVIDED OPINION

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY?

TARUHERU DRAINAGE

The drainage problems associated with the Taruheru Stream will be discussed at a public meeting to be called shortly by the Cook County Council and the Poverty Bay Catchment Board, but the decision as to whose responsibility the meeting should be created a division of opihion at yesterday’s meeting of the Cook County Council and considerable time was devoted to this question.

A report of the council deputation’s discussions on this matter with the Poverty Bay. Catchment Board was given.

Referring to the board’s decision that the council should take the initial move to have a drainage board formed, Mr. J. R. Hair said that it was felt that the best ends could be served by a drainage board of the district being formed through an agency other than themselves, and then the board would have more justification in approaching the Treasury Department for funds. “There is a case of a catchment board being set up, yet they ask us to do the job,” stated Mr. F. S. Bowen. “We will be committing the council to do work which a large number of people will get no benefit from. The job will involve a large amount of capital expenditure, and although the council might be prepared to assist with maintenance costs there is a large difference between capital and maintenance expenditure.” Question of Time

Mr. R. Graham pointed out that if the matter was referred back to the catchment board to call a meeting a month would be wasted. The cost of such a meeting would be trifling and he accordingly moved that the council call a meeting. Mr. Bowen: It wouldn’t cost the catchment board any more than it will us. Mr. J. T. Gordon: We have already called a meeting—it failed. Now we should let the catchment board have a try.

“I am inclined to agree that this shoiild be the Catchment Board’s job,” stated Mr. M. T. B. Hall, who asked why the land classification would be so difficult as claimed.

About £IO,OOO had been spent on the Taruheru under his administration, stated the engineer, Mr. K. F. Jones. A lot of the work he had started was having results. He was keen and the council should call the meeting, not only to cement the relations between the two bodies, but to allow a chance for the council to keep in touch vr'’the progress made.

Doubt at Outcome

“It is better that these drainage areas should be formed through the council, which has the machinery to operate it, and the result would be better for all,” considered the chairman, Mr. E. H. Baker, who, however, expressed doubt at the successful outcome of the proposed meeting. “I can’t see why Taruheru can’t be classified, which can be done without striking a special rate. If a drainage board is established, classification would automatically follow,” Mr. Baker said.

On the motion of Mr. C. Tietjen, seconded by Mr. Bowen, it was agreed that both bodies should conjointly call the meeting. “A considerable amount of investigation work has been done on drainage schemes, particularly in the Taruheru, Glencoe and Pipiwhakao areas,” Mr. Jones stated in his monthly report. “The existing drainage is far from adequate and considerable expenditure will be involved to effect the necessary improvements. “Wherever possible county plant is being used to carry out the work and the drains are being constructed so that the maintenance in the future can also be carried out by plant. “Cleaning work in the Ngatapa Creek is proceeding and good progress has been made. The proposals have been approved with the minor alterations by the Main Highways Board and the Soil Conservation Council who are each contributing £IOO towards the work. To comply with the conditions of subsidy, tenders will be called for the work at an early date.”