QUITE SATISFIED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4249, 1 March 1950, Page 5

QUITE SATISFIED

BOARD’S ASSURANCE

WORK AT MANGAITI

PAEROA FARMERS’ MEETING

“I can assure you ttfat the board has no intention of performing any such major work until the whole river can be dealt with as one unit,” wrote the secretary of the Hauraki Catchment Board, to the Paeroa branch of Federated Farmers at its Fctavary meeting. The letter was in reply to a resolution of protest passed, by the Paeroa branch against the proposed wißow clearing and erosion control work on the Waihou river in tho area between Te Aroha and MangaitL Mr. H. R. Thorp stated that ho had been concerned at the totter of protest. Apparently he had not made himself clear to member* whan he explained the position to the Paeroa branch at a previous meeting of the branch.

Mr. Thorp went on to explain that. Mr. D. G. McMillan who bad thought the work would cause damage in tho lower areas of the Waflmn had tahmt. exception to the work and ho himself had at a mooting of the Cafrfwni Board opposed the propeuaUto de

work in the Mangaiti arsa, but the work now proposed by the board was, in his opinion, not likely to do damage. The engineers had assured the mom bars of the board that I—iitenanee work only was to be done end the aettlers in the area had approved of the work and were prepared to contribute towards the cost of the work which was merely puffing Willow* out of the stream and doing certain aril erosion work. So far, said Mr. Thorp, no tender had been received for the work and it might not be carried out this year. Mr. Thorp thought that the board members could rest assured that the work proposed would eame no damage. An assurance had been given not only by the board’s engineer, but also by the chief engineer, Mr. 0. G. Thornton, of the Ministay of Works.

Mr. J. E. Silcoek thanked Mr. Thorp for his very clear explanation whidx was also clearly set out ih the boanftb letter.

It was only by making requests or protests that information was obtained and he was quite satisfied now with the board’s explanation, concluded Mr. SHcock.