RIVERS CONTROL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2762, 14 August 1931, Page 5

RIVERS CONTROL.

REPRESENTATIONS TO GOVERNMENT. SATISFACTORY ASSURANCES. DEPUTATION TO WELLINGTON. A very satisfactory report was given yesterday to the Paeroa Borough Council, the Ohinemuri County Council and the Hauraki Plains County Council by their respective chairmen, Messrs W. Marshall, C. Mason and W. Madgwick. on the Result of their visit to Wellington concerning the proposed Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Board. The committee had two interviews with the Honourable Minister of Public Works, and a lengthy conference with the officers of the Public Works Department, and its report was as follows:—

“On the question of the adequacy of the protection works the engineers of the Department have made a frank statment to the effect that in the flood of three years ago the water had been within | three feet of the top of the stop banks at the Ohinemuri River bridge at Paeroa, and that the records showed that the rainfall had not been so high as on some previous occasions; but that the two livers had reached a peak at the same time, causing a high level in the Ohinemuri River. They were, however, not satisfied with the rating curves, and stated that further floods were required to check same in order to prove if further, remedial measures were necessary. “In order to be ready to deal with the position if it were found necessary to take further protective measures plans had been prepared for a detention basin in the Waitawheta, and the committee are satisfied that the position is being carefully investigated and that the Government are fully alive to the possibilities and are willing to face whatever may prove to be necessary. > “In regard to the cracks which appear in the stopbanks, an assurance was given that they would be closely watched this summer, and a report sent to Wellington on what was ascertained. “In reply to the request that the functioning of the proposed board should be postponed until the present depression shows signs of lifting, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Public Works, stated'most definitely that the Government was fully conscious of the difficulties of the farmers, and that they would do nothing which’would make their position harder just now, and your committee were impressed with the sincere determination of the Bfinister on this point. “The following figures, which have been compiled from information supplied by the clerks to the local bodies concerned were then placed before the Minister: , ' Rateable Capital Value. & Hauraki Plains County Area 465,283 Paeroa Borough Area .. .. 433,413 Ohinemuri County Area .. 207,376 Piako County area .. .. 37,480 Thames County area .... 36,435

£1.179,987 Total unimproved value of area, £573,380. Estimated revenue required, £7,p00, to produce which on lid rate capital value ’of £1,120,000 is required. £1,120,000 would not be available, but assuming estimate can be reduced, possibly lid rate on capital ’ value would be required. If for estimating purposes this Were apportioned: A class, 2d; B class, lid; C class, Id; equals 4id, divided by 3, equal lid average.

Then A class land would be subject to 2d rate capital value; equals in case of counties nearly 4d on unimproved value; equals in case of boroughs nearly 6d on unimproved value; or at least double general rate, and in some cases considerably more. And from the serious position they disclose the Minister was strongly urged to agree (in view of the fact that mining tailings were still being discharged into the river) to the Government carrying at least part spf the mainteltnance charges; and these the Minister undertook to place before Cabinet.

On the point of representation on the board argument took place particularly in regard to the desire of the Department that the Government should have the right to nominate the chairman, whom it was desired should be the Auckland District Engineer; this the committee strenuously opposed on principle, and the Minister after having the representations placed on record, decided that a question of policy was involved, and that the matter would have to be, referred to Cabinet. In view of the fact that the Government were carrying all the interest

and sinking fund on the capital charges, and that in addition we asked it to carry a fair share of'the maintenance, the committee were unable to press the suggestion that the mining companies should make special contribution, but we strongly urged the Government to consider the possibility of preventing any new companies depositing debris and tailing into the fiver, as we found that no such embargo now exists. - The Government agreed that the liability of settlers ought not by implication to extend to general liability for flood damage; and a clause was suggested to cover the'point raised; it was further agreed that consideration be given to reducing the reserve fund to £20,000. It was also agreed that classification should consist of six classes; and apportionment should be fixed with classification; with the same statutory right of appeal as now existed in regard to classification. It is proposed to include some additional land in the Hauraki Plains County and in the Ohinemuri County, and particulars of same have been obtained and are being supplied to these authorities. ■ The Government also promised that as soon as the Bill is prepared a draft will be forwarded to the district for consideration. The committee place on record and report to the district its satisfaction at the obvious desire of the Government to do everything possible to assist the settlers; and for the assurance that nothing will be done to make the present position more difficult; its thanks to Messrs Samuel, McMillan and Lye, Members of Parliament, for their assistance; and its appreciation of the frankness and courtesy of the officers of the Public Works Department. The committee await with confidence the final decisions of Cabinet, and hold themselves in readiness on behalf of the settlers to deal with any developments which may arise.” ' Gratification was expressed by each of the three local bodies when the. report was read at their meetings yesterday, and the work of the committee was favourably commended. Messrs Mason and Madgwick both paid a tribute to the work of Mr Marshall. ■,' \