RIVER COMMISSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8825, 17 March 1909, Page 5

RIVER COMMISSION.

A FAVOURABLE REPORT,

HOCKEN'S BEND,

"The report of the River Commission upon the question of the control of tho Manawatu and Oroua rivers," said Mr Stubbs, when questioned about the matter by a "Standard" reporter this morning, "'is entirely upon the lines adduced on behalf of the Borough Council." Continuing, he stated that when the Council first went into the matter they were in favour of a River Commission being set up to formulate a scheme that would effectually deal'with tho river question. Personally he had been opposed to it for the reason that he did not know what it would land them in. Finally, however, he was appointed to represent tho Council before tho Commission. MiHay, Government Engineer, was the first witness called and when he brought down, his big scheme for the straightening and widening of the river it was at once seen that Palmerston was not concerncd in this at all and a resolution was passed to the effect that while the Borough Council was agreeable to the Commission being set up they did not want tor be included in such drainage scheme, and that they were of the opinion that if Palmerston had to contribute to any such scheme either the whole of the watershed area on both sides of the ranges should be rated on a classification basis, or that the Government should subsidise tho scheme in a sum equal to that which the watershed area would pay in rates. The report was absolutely satisfactory as far as Palmerston North was concerned.

With regard to the dansrerous noint along the Oroua river above Hocken's bend he stated that the Commissioners considered that the provisions under the present River Boards Act were quite sufficient to deal with the matter and that it was for the threatened areas to bring pressure upon the local governing body un> .er whose control it was to take such action as would be deemed advisable.

Mr Armstrong, when questioned about the matter, stated He was not prepared to express an opinion until ho had seen the full reDort of the Commission.