CLASSIFICATION COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 116, 17 April 1931, Page 7

CLASSIFICATION COURT.

RIVER BOARD SCHEME. KAIRANGA OBJECTIONS HEARD. Individual objections to the Alana-watu-Oroua River Board’s scheme of flood control were heard by the Court of Classification in Palmerston North to-day. The petitions of the Kairanga subdivision objectors are held first, and are expected to last for several days. Mr R. M. Watson, S.M., is presiding, the assessors being Messrs D. O. Williams and H. E. Leighton. L. H. J. Lancaster appeared on behalf of his son, H. N. AY. Lancaster, who owns 197 acres at Aorangi. Referring to ten acres bordering the Taonui creek, witness stated that during the 18 months the area had been occupied by tlie present owner it had had no flood water. Regarding the balance of the property, there was a natural fall to the Taonui creek. The property had been classed H and it was contended that it should be in class Z. AA’itness said that the rates paid to the Manawatu D (linage Board amounted to £IG 18s Bd, classed C. It was a mixed farm, dairying and sheep. J. Collesen, of Kairanga, stated that he had three properties. One of 150 acres at the bottom of No. 1 Line was classed D 75, E 55, I 1 20. The only water this received was that backing up from Rangiotu. It was 24 hours after a flood had passed Karere that there was any flood water. The drainage rates were £lB a year. The floods had never had any injurious effect. The second farm comprised 45 acres on the corner of tho Karere Road at Longburn, of which 37 acres were classed G. and eight acres H. Since 1913, when the property was purchased, the only flood of any magnitude was in 1926, which had not caused much damage. The third area of 120 acres was classed Z and no objection was made to this. Mr M. AY. A 7 oss said that his property of 206 acres lay. on the south side of the F'oxton-Palmerston North Road, near Tiakitahuna, and 26 acres were classed G and 180 acres H. Tlie entire property was front four to 12 feet above the contour line of the 1902 flood. He maintained that the board’s works could give him no benefit. There had never been any flood water on the property during his occupancy. He contended that tlie entire property should be classed Z. Mr O. Monrad appeared to support the claims of several objectors. Referring to Air A r oss’s application, he said that the scheme could he of no advantage to him at all. Banking was the only method by which- floods could be minimised. Air H. A T oss said that lie was the owner of 75 acres at Karere and also owned sections 5 and 6, block 13, containing 126 acres, Kairanga. He contended that the latter block had never been flooded in tlie history of residents. He had owned the property, for approximately 34 years, hut he had not paid any administration rates previously, although lie had now been included under the new classification. In respect to the 75 acres, the 1902 flood had covered all but 15 to 20 acres and the 1926 flood had covered about half of the property, but it had not done any damage. Air Alonrad, who also gave evidence in support of Air A’oss, stated that lie had known the 126 acres for 50 years and had never seen it flooded, while the other 75 acres had never suffered damage, for tlie water got away quite readily.

In reply to Air Williams, witness considered that, while complete immunity from flooding would be advantageous, the farmer could not bear much rating for the slight benefit derived. David Rowlands stated that ho owned two pieces of land on the main road at Jackeytown, the one piece being of 80 acres and tho other of 72 acres, both of which were classed E. He had never lost any stock through flooding, tho drainage was good and he believed that should the River Board carry out its scheme tho selling value of his property would deteriorate owing to the heavy rating imposed. A. Alatheson, owner of 30 acres, part section 4, Tiakitahuna, said that he did not consider his property would receive any direct or indirect benefit from the board’s scheme.

In reply to Mr Baldwin, witness stated that ho adjoined the 75 acres of Mr Voss, although lie was on the higher side. _ it. D. Knight, Longbtirn, stated that he owned 59 acres which had been classified H. He had owned the land since 1913 and had never had to shift a head of stock through flooding. M. Itichardson, of Jackeytown, stated that he own£d 44 acres on the lower side of the Palmerston NorthFoxton road. Sixteen acres were classed C and 28 acres were classed D. He had bought the farm in 1918, 10 acres of which were at the back and which he could have leased either as a market garden or as a dairy farm. The front portion might be subjected to flooding, but he Irad never suffered any inconvenience.

At this stage the Court adjourned for lunch.