KAIPARA RIVER LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 8

KAIPARA RIVER LANDS.

DRAINAGE BOARD WANTED.

URGENT FORMATION APPROVED.

fBT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORESPONDENT, KI7MEU. Sunday.

The proposal for the formation of a drainage board to deal- with the systematic drainage of the country along the course ox the Kaipara River, which has lately been receiving the attention of the Waitemata County Council, was advanced a further step on Saturday, when a deputation consisting of Messrs. H. McCarrol and Lockman (Woodhill),j and Mr. D. Lions (Rewiti) waited upon the Kumeu Ratepayers' Association and asked for their support of the scheme. Mr. McCarroll stated that in 1915 and 1916 a movement for the formation of a drainage board was initiated, and the necessary legislative sanction had been then obtained, while the valuations of properties in the suggested area had been made. He suggested that to enable- immediate action to bo taken so as to prevent as far as possible the recurrence ; of such inundations as have been experienced during the past few months, the drainage board should be set up with boundaries already suggested, and that the board should then make arrangements to extend the area so as to include all properties affected from Waitakere to the mouth of the river. The lands included in the board's area would be classified according to benefits received and would pay drainage rates accordingly. Mr. Lockman (Woodhill) stated that the Waitemata County Council had provided £200 for urgent works somei years ago. This had been subsidised! by the Government to the extent of £100, and some good had resulted. The time had now come for a decided 'move in the direction of undertaking permanent works which would benefit all parts of the, district. To enable this to'be done the formation of a drainage board with- the necessary borrowing and rating powers was absolutely necessary. ! " After a number of questions had been answered, the meeting unanimously affirmed the necessity of the immediate formation of tho proposed drainage board, with full powers to control and undertake the drainage of the country along the whole course of the Kaiparai River.