MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.
THE RECENT DEPUTATION. • v MINISTERIAL reply. f Mr 0. Newman, M. P., has received the following reply from tbe Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. Downie Stewart), in reference to the recent deputation which waited upon the Minister: “AVith reference to the deputation introduced by you and Mr Nash, •M.P., relative to the petition praying for tbe constitution of the‘proposed Manawatu-Oroua River District, and to the objections lodged praying that certain lands should • lie excluded therefrom, I have now to inform you that as indicated to the deputation, it is proposed to constitute the district with tbe boundaries generally follow the high boundaries generally follow he high N Hood level as determined by the 1908 Commission, it- being considered that the objectors are adequately protected by the classification provisions of the River Boards Act, under which lands which do not benefit will hot be rated. It is, as you are doubtless aware, a somewhat difficult matter in fixing the boundaries of a River Dis- . triet to ascertain definitely whether all lands included therein will or will not benefit. It must be borne in mind that floods in a valley depreciate the value of surrounding property, which conversely benefits by improvement works to safeguard Hooded areas, and consequently such property should contribute to some extent. Again, there is the factor of Settlement in upper reaches having intensified floods by destruction of natural cover of the ground, and cutting of roads, drains, etc.’ increasing the amount of detritus carried down the river. It will be necessary to introduce legislation exempting the Board from the provisions oWi section 73 of the River Boards Act, which section prohibits a River Board from exercising jurisdiction within a Harbour District, and as the larger part of the proposed River District is within the Foxton Harbour District the Board, when elected, - would have no powers unless exempted from that section. The interests of the Harbour Board, it is considered, will be adequately protected by the provisions of section 86 of thejsame Act. It is also considered desireable that legislation should be introduced safeguarding the existing works of the Drainage Boards and providing that future works shall not be constructed either b.y the Boards or the River Board when constituted, without the consent of the other Boards affected: provided that if such consent is not given the Board desiring to. construct works may apply to the Public Works Department, whose decision shall be 4 tT final. Such Department may, of course, hold such"' inquiry as it thinks necessary before giving a decision.”
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2451, 8 July 1922, Page 2
Word Count
426MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2451, 8 July 1922, Page 2
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