MATATOKI CANAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4369, 15 December 1950, Page 11

MATATOKI CANAL

COUNCIL TO PAY £5OO URGENCY OF THE WORK HAURAKI CATCHMENT BOARD “In view of the fact that to leave the work being carried out on the Matatoki canal in its present state may cause serious trouble in the event of a flood, the council was prepared to increase its share of the cost from: £3OO to £500,” wrote the Thames County Council to the November meeting of the Hauraki Catchment Board. ' The letter went on to state that in no circumstances would the council agree to And more than £5OO and that it was only the urgency of the matter that had caused the council to agree to pay the £5OO. The council greatly appreciated the time given by Mr G. Davies, chief engineer of the catchment board, in making an inspection of the Wharepoa area while much of the land was still under water. The council asked for a brief report from Mr Davies as a result of his inspection and would appreciate advice as to what measures should be Undertaken to improve ■ the position. The fact tjiat flood water had not been drained off the land after four days of fine weather was a matter of grave concern. Mr Davies informed members that an inspection had been made and it had 'been found that the floodgate was in very bad order. The survey of an outlet was required. Mr J. W. F. Mcßeth stated that he had been asked to state that what was required was a dredge to clear out the drain. However the county chairman had advised him that he did not know where the money would come from to pay for the work as no further raites could be levied on properties affected. Mr H. R. Thorp moved that the chief engineer report upon the matter and to that the meeting agreed. Assistance was needed not a report, said Mr G. L., Banfield. What was wanted was the use of the weed bucket, said Mr Mcßeth. Who would pay for the work ? asked Mr D. G. McMillan. The board had no money and could not just start a weed bucket working without knowing Who was going to pay for the work. The chief engineer informed l thfe •members, that a bucket for cleaning the canal was available as long as finance was available to work it. A suggestion that in order to decrease the cost of working in tidal waters a caravan be purchased by the board and the matter placed before the < Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council was carried.