CATCHMENT BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 3983, 19 April 1948, Page 4

CATCHMENT BOARD

WORK TO BE DONE ADDRESS TO FARMERS MEETING HELD IN PAEROA The work to be done by the Hanraki Catchment Board, its constitution, authority and rating points were dealt with by Mr H. R. Thorp in an address given at a meeting of the Paeroa branch of Federated Farmers. Mr Thorp is a member of the catchment board.

Mr Thorp outlined the history of the catchment board, the establishment of which had been approved at a meeting of various county and borough councils some three years ago, and set up by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. At present there were 10 elected members and five nominees from the Government.

From the first part of the title “ Soil Conservation and River Control,” said Mr Thorp, people were led to believe that there was not much use for such a body on the Plains. “ But,” he added, “ although we have ' no soil erosion problems in this district, we have the necessity for soil conservation and the need for river control is apparent to all. At the present, when products from the land s * are not enough to feed the peoples of the world, it is the time to consider soil conservation. It may be that methods of farming on the Hauraki Plains are not in the best interests of the saving of the soil. There are object lessons from all over the world where land has been unintentionally overworked, causing deserts and barren wastes.” Object of Board It is the object of the hoard, he stated, to make investigations as to whether the correct methods of farming are in operation and to give .advice or take control, where needed. Mr Thorp went on to say that at present the rivers and streams of the Plains were under the control of many Ulllllllilliiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;iii!’ii!!!iiii;iii;;iniiiiiii!iiiiiiiiiiij;;i;''ii ; i!iiiiiiiii:ii

different bodies between which there was no co-ordination, whereas if they worked together under one body far more could be achieved.

At present the catchment board has no definite policy of river control but they hoped to have an engineer in a few months’ time when a policy could then be formed.

Administration Rate

The 1-Sd in the £ general rate which is to be struck this year and collected by the local bodies is levied in order to cover administration expenses of the catchment board over the last three years. The rate is limited to l-8d in the £ but it is not thought that that rate will have :c be struck each year.

{ “ Our capital value,” said Mr Thorp, | “is £17,000,000, on which we strike ithe l-8d in the £ rate. The icason we [struck the rate on the cap'.tai value I instead of the unimproved, value is so [that we could get a more equitable I system of rating as boroughs and i town areas are included in it. The interests of boroughs and t•’■vns are las much tied up with the lan 1 a? the interests of anybody else. j Control of Waterways j “It will be necessary for us to have [all the rivers and streams in the area [vested in the catchment hoard although we can at the present time do any work on those streams without having them vested.” The catchment board will control all the stream? in its area from source to mouth, and it is only by that method, stated Mr Thorp, that the necessary work can be carried out.

“ There will be no necessity to do away with any small boards or anv controlling body if their work is satisfactory.” Mr Thorp concluded by saying be would be very pleased to keep the Paeroa branch of Federated Farmers posted on the activities of the b aid and once again urged that they arrange for the chairman of tne catcnment board to give them an addre??. Several questions were asked regarding the powers of the catchment board and a long discussion ensued at the conclusion of which a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Thorp was moved by Mr H. C. Jackson and seconded by Mr J. E. Silcock. y