THE RANGITAIKI RIVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18578, 10 December 1923, Page 11

THE RANGITAIKI RIVER.

IMPROVEMENTS DESIRED. STABILISING THE' ENTRANCE The desirability of stabilising the entrance of the Bangitaiki River 'and of obtaining an extra foot- of outfall formed the subject of discussion at a deputation of Thornton settlers to the • Hon- W. Noswbrthy, 'Minister for Agriculture and Acting-Minister for Lands. .; Mr. Sheat said the Rangitaik* settlers ■were ; feeling that the battles had rather gone against them. They felt that the, Government had entire " sympathy with them, and they were hoping to have its continued sympathy. A , great deal had been done, but something remained to bo done. Both the Whakatane Harbour Board and the Lands Department denied responsibility for the Rangitaiki River. The improvements asked for -were regarded by the settlers as a public work. ; The Minister replied that it- was a matter for the Whakatane Harbour Board, as : the river was within its harbour limits. , • ,i It was stated by a resident that the Harbour Board absolutely denied responsibility. V \ ' ■ Mr. J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands, after referring to! the great amount of work that had already been done to o the river, said stabilisation of the entrance for navigation had not much to do with the Lands -Department. At a rough - ; guess, he estimated the cost of the work at £7000. \ ~ • Mr. Sheat said he thought the work would be worth while to The settlers. They would have a big asset in the river if deepened and stabilised. i ' The Minister promised to inquire into the suggestion. •; ; v -• .'•