THE WAIKATO SWAMPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15123, 14 October 1912, Page 8

THE WAIKATO SWAMPS.

LOWERING TK£ RIVER, WHY WORK HAS/BEEN STOPPED. Tut; lake? and swamps in the Waikato district, which l-avc for so long caused trouble in tho farmers, and which have further hindered the progress of the dis- ; trict, hid fair to remain a hindrance for | some years yet. A short, time ago a scheme was promoted by the residents of the Mercer. district, to lower the level of Iho liver, and thus effect, ft draining of tho swamps. A drainage association was formed, out of which was promoted the Waikato River Board, which has for its main object the carrying out of the drainage work. "** Sortie months ago the River Board promoted the Waikato River Board Bill, the passing of which by Parliament would have made the big work possible by the flotation of a. loan, and the granting of certain powers to tho River Board to enable it- to expedite the scheme. The Local Bills Committee, however, after taking voluminous evidence, threw out the Bill, and it was decided that ft Commission should be appointed to go into the whole scheme.

A meeting to consider the position was ; held at Mercer on Saturday afternoon, about BO ratepayers being present. Mr. J. B. Bailey, of lluntly, presided. It was explained that the ratepayers of ltangiriri had held a meeting to consider the throwing out. of the Bill, and they had resolved to call a general meeting, so that the whole question could be gone into. The action of tho Board was explained at length to the meeting by the chairman {Mr. Glass), who said that that body had done all : .l could to have tho Bill passed. There had been objections raised, however, by a few ratepayers, and these had killed the Bill. There had been complaints made that, the Board had not supplied tho ratepayers with' full information, but Mr. Glass denied this, and showed fully the position ■ the Board had taken up." Mr. J. J. Craig, of Auckland, said that after hearing Mr. Glass's explanation, no one could have any doubt -whatever that the Board was doing its best for the people of the district. If it were backed up by the ratepayers, it could accomplish a great work, which would make the Waikato a great district. The scheme included improved navigation of the river, and the time, in his opinion, would come when large vessels -would be seen carrying coal and otlwr cargo direct from the district to Australia' and outsido ports. Mr. E. C. Beale (Auckland) also urged tho ratepayers to stand together to further the Board's scheme.

Mr. Wily, of Aka Aka, detailed the objections to the scheme. Ho said it was unfair that tho farmers on the high land should be rated for work which was going to benefit those whoso property included swamp land. The objectors were also annoyed because.of the ratable areas defined, and the lines which had been drawn by tho Board in defining.who should be taxed for the scheme.

In spite of the opposition, the scheme will be still urged by the Board and the majority of the ratepayers, who are in accord with the view that, although the Bill was thrown out, the proposals are so important to the district that steps should be taken to have the work resumed ■without delay.