RIVER FLAT LANDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 179, 30 June 1936, Page 9

RIVER FLAT LANDS

PROTECTION IN RANGITIKEI. COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME URGED. With the object of preventing the continued erosion of rich river flat lands by the Rangitikei River, a meeting of settlers of the Lower Rangitikei district was held in Bulls, yesterday morning, to consider the formation of a river board and other protective measures. Mr A. Stuart (a member of the Rangitikei County Council) presided, and apologised for the unavoidable absence of the chairman (Mr K. W. Dalrymple). Others present included Messrs C. L. Hunter (M.P. for Manawatu), O. Wilson (M.P. for Rangitikei), S. A. R. Mail- (Rangitikei County engineer) and H. H. Richardson (county clerk). . Plans of the course of the Rangitikei River and the protective work necessary were submitted ■by Air Mail - , and Mr Richardson outlined the procedure necessary to constitute the County Council a River Board. ATr Hunter, at the invitation of the chairman, addressed the meeting, commenting that through the multiplicity of river boards much money Tjad in the past been wasted. Protection of river flat lands, he said, was a foremost matter of Public Works policy, and he expressed the opinion that the Rangitikei River problem was one for a comprehensive Government scheme. He was satisfied that the Government would take the matter in hand if the settlers so desired.

The following resolutions were then carried unanimously:— That this meeting of settlers of the Lower Rangitikei request the Rangitikei County Council to urge the Government to take in hand a comprehensive policy to regulate the course of the Rangitikei River.

That the Rangitikei County Council be asked to communicate with the ALanawatu County Council to obtain their co-operation. A T otes of thanks were accorded the chairman, and Messrs Hunter, Wilson. Afair, and Richardson for their attendance.