The Overflooding of the Oroua.

Manawatu Herald, 9 July 1903, Page 2

The Overflooding of the Oroua.

At the Manchester Road Board meeting last Friday, the question of overflooding from the Oroua was brought under discussion. Warden Pearce, who was deputed to wait upon the Manawatu Drainage Board reported the decision of the latter to the effect that the whole question should be dealt with by a River Board. It was stated there is a movement on foot among the settlers occupying the triangular area of country between Palmerston, Rongotea and Foxton to form such an institution, covering an extended area, taking in property in the Oroua as well as the Manawatu Districts. The present scheme for protection would be overlapped by something much larger which would involve clearing away obstructions in the Oroua, erecting stop banks etc. The proposal, however, is entirely premature and other suggestions being in existence, it is probable the whole matter will result in a commission. The Manchester Road Board, naturally, view the pending commission in regard to the Mangaone stream as a means for deciding the precedent whether property adjoining the upper reaches of the Orpua and Mangaone can be rated for works south of Palmerston and Rongotea If the decision of the Commissioner favours the latter, new issues involving increased taxation must necessarily result to the property owners in the Oroua district. The Board, however, justly feels that the proposal savours of something approaching to imposition, and they are well within the limits of justice and equity in endeavouring to defeat any* proposal that would tend to saddle their ratepayers with taxation which would be used for works entirely out of their district, and from which they would derive no benefit.