“CHILDISH”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32929, 26 November 1947, Page 5

“CHILDISH”

MR McMILLAN’S VIEWS

WILLOWS IN THE WAIHOU

PAEROA FARMERS DISAGREE

A statement reported to have been made by Mr D. G. McMillan at a recent meeting of the Hauraki Catchment Board was commented upon as being “ childish ” and “ ridiculous,” by members of the Paeroa branch of the Federated Farmers at a meeting of the branch held recently.

The press cutting quoted by Mr F. Johansen, from the Hauraki Plains Gazette, of November 12, stated that Mr McMillan had said that if willows were cleared from the Waihou river, and maintenance to arrest silting were carried out without improvement to the Ohinemuri river, Paeroa “ would be wiped off the face of the earth.’ ’He was reported to have said that he wanted to know what would happen to areas lower down if improvements were made in the higher regions.

The report made it sound that the branch had been asking for only the top half of the river to be dredged, said Mr Johansen. If the river was dredged right from the mouth the water would get away right up the river, and from the Ohinemuri as well.

The secretary, Mr J. E. Silcock, stated that he agreed with Mr Johansen. Mr McMillan’s statement was childish, he said. A letter that he had received from the catchment board stated that the question of willows and silting in the Waihou would be considered by the board when it had appointed an engineer. Mr J. W. Lauder stated that the letter seemed to be satisfactory.