CNFLICT OF INTERESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18180, 28 August 1922, Page 8

CNFLICT OF INTERESTS.

DRAINAGE OPERATIONS.

LARGE AND SMALL BOARDS. [BI TBIEGaAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Saturday.

" A question which is of considerable importance and which has caused the department much concern is the conflict of powers which frequently exists by reason cf both a drainage board and a river board controlling the one area," states the annual report of the luternal Affairs Department. " This position exists in several parts of the Dominion, but more pai-tieularly in the Waikato and Manawatu districts, and it has been exercising the attention of the officers not only of this department, but also of the Public Works and Lands Departmenta, as to how such positions could be overcome. The ultimate solution appears to be a comprehensive scheme embracing both river conservation and land drainage under one board, and reports have frequently been obtained recommending the adoption of such a course in certain districts.

" This object has, however, been defeated in the post, and is still being defeated by the formation of small boards, brought about by reason of the fact that settlers whoso lands are low lying and require drainage cannot wait for a larger scheme, and form themselves into small drainage boards for the purpose of proAriding a temporary meuns of draining their lands. ' While this is in many cases very necessary, the unfortunate part of it is that very often the drainage works carried out bv thesa smaU boards conflict with the'larger schemes either being carried out or proposed to be earned out by river and other board*. There can be no question thai the position will have to be dealt with comprehensivcly throughout the Dominion, and a scheme on the lines of that recommended by the Auckland Canals and inland Waterways Commission in regard to the Waikato River Board will require to be adopted in the areas which are principally affected by drainage and r.ver operations.