OHINEMURI MATTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18577, 8 December 1923, Page 12

OHINEMURI MATTERS.

DEPUTATIONS TO MINIISTER.

[BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.} PAEROA, Friday. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Railways and Public Works, paid a short visit to Paeroa yesterday afternoon and was interviewed by deputations at the railway station, The Mayor, Mr. W. (Marshall, asked if a definite statement could be made as to the site of the new railway station. The Minister stated that as far as he knew at present the Hill Street site would be taken. 'Mr. Geo. Buchanan and other settlers living on the right bank of the Ohinemuri River represented to the" Minister that the building of stop banks on the left bank of the river was likely to divert flood water over their farms. They suggested that the Public Works Department, should purchase the lands affected at the present market value and fchen offer it for sale with the understanding that it would be subject to floods. The difference between the price paid for the land and that realised by auction should they contended, be charged to the river improvement scheme. They did riot wish to make any claims now unless their lands were taken under the Public Works Act in the ordinary way. The Minister stated that the lands would be dealt with under the Public Works Act, and advised the settlers to put in claims for any damages they considered they were entitled to. » Several settlers, who contended that the means of access to their farms would be cut off by the construction of the proposed 30 wide drain at Hikut&ia. asked the Minister to make provision for them to get into their farms before the work proceeded any further. The Minister promised that the settlers would be given access and that they would be given every consideration.