HAURAKI PLAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19558, 10 February 1927, Page 12

HAURAKI PLAINS.

PROBLEMS OF SETTLERS. REPORT ON PART OF AREA. ROADING AND OTHER WORKS. DECISION OF GOVERNMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Wednesday., Problems concerning " a portion of the Hauraki Plaims area were recently investigated by a special committee, whose report has been made available by the Minister'of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod.

The committee comprised Messrs. G. T. Murray (chairman), F. W. Walters and Alex. C. Sutherland, and the area chiefly concerned was the Patetonga riding of about 20,500 acres. In;outlining the report, the Minister's decisions are givin in association with the committee's recommendations. The committee was instructed to advise as to the efficiency or otherwise of the existing roading and drainage facilities, and of their maintenance. They point out that a very large amount of work has been done since operations were commenced 19 years ago, the principal work being the widening and straightening of the Piako River from its mouth to Kaihere, 14 miles from Hauraki Gulf. Much improvement has been effected, but it is computed that; at least 1,500,000 cubic yards will have to be removed before the present proposals in hand are completed, and as the work develops, it is more than probable that the proposals will become more far-reaching. Safety of Settlements.

The committee states that the lower river from Kaihere landing downwards has not sufficient cross-sectional capacity to take the flood waters as they come down from the upper reaches of the Piako and Waitoa Rivers, with the consequence that these flood waters tend to accumulate, and in the event of long-continued rain there would be a huge lake of 13,000 acres extending ten miles southwards from Kaihere landing.

The report continues: "It is contended by the Lands Department that this ponding area is essential to the safety of the settlements, below Kaihere landing, but the evidence of the settlers in the Patetonga riding was to the effect that this safety had been purchased to some extent at their expense. It is probably an impossible proposition to stop flooding throughout the ten-miles length above Kaihere landing. Stop-banking is considered to be out of the question, as the peat land's come right up against th& river on both banks, and on account of its permeability and danger from fires it is not possible to make safe stop-banks in peat country.

"The.only method of effecting any general improvement in the position is by a general improvement of the waterway from Kaihere downwards. This would certainly be a most expensive urn dertaking. The problem is an economic one. Can the country concerned stand the cost? If not, is it a fair thing to ask the Dominion as a whole to shoulder a large proportion of this cost?" The Committee's Proposals,

The committee states that it has gone over the country mile by mile, and it submits the following proposals: That steps be taken by the Departments of Lands and Survey to ensure a lowering Of the level of floods to a height, if practicable, #ot exceeding 10L00 at Patetonga landing and the shortening of the periods of flooding. The committee suggests that an expert committee, consisting of -one Public Works Department engineer, one drainage branch engineer and a hydraulic engineer in private practice, be set up to decide on the nature, extent and cost_ of the necessary works, the cost of which is roughly estimated at £150,000. For many reasons the Minister is of opinion that the scope of the department's present works in this connection is as extensive as the position warrants, and that the additional expenditure suggested by the committee is not at present economic cally, possible. As far as can be seen the proposed deepening of the Piako River by Ift. will 1 result in lowering the level of the ponding area, with the possibility of making relatively dry a comparatively small fringe of land around the ponding area; moreover, tHte maintenance charges would be increased. It has been decided that the Department of Lands shall go fully into the question of extending the works, collect all data necessary for a fuller report, and then consider the question as to the expediency of giving effect to the suggestion that a committee of engineers be asked to cor.e to a final decision on the matter. Road Development.

Suggestions are detailed for road development, the committee recommending that the settlers should find £13,600 out of the total estimated expenditure of £50,202, and that the Government should provide the balance, £36,602, by way of subsidies ranging "from £2 for £1 up to £4 to £1- An amount of £6OOO should be made available by the Government this season. The Minister's decision i»: " Iho subsidies proposed are liberal and apparently cover all the roads in the Patetonga riding. It is very doubtful whether the settlers interested will raise loans for any amount beyond what is for the main road. It has been decided that, subject to the concurrence of the Public Works Department, these settlers be ad-' vised that the subsidy recommended in respect, of the main road (viz., £4 £1) will be made available when they carry their loan, and the question of granting the subsidies recommended by the committee in respect of the secondary roads will receive consideration later on. Nothing can be done until these settlers raise their proportion of the proposed expenditure. ' _ " With respect to the main road, the estimated cost of which is £24,327, the amount contribut able by the Government on a £4 to £1 Basis would be £19,462, and by the settlers £4865. This question of subsidies for roading will be taken up by the Public Works Department. Assistance to Settlers.

The committee has made some important recommendations in regard to settlers in the area who have been unable to meet their rental obligations. Remissions are recommended is eleven cases, six involving remission of arrears, while m others rentes to be remitted for a period ranging from one to three years. These recommendations have been fully approved by the Minister of Lands. . With respect to 24 abandoned sections situated to she east of Maakoro Canal, the committee is of opinion thai no attempt should be made to relet, there 33 clairy farms cr as small holdings for other purposes. It recommends leasing them tor grazing or- flax . growing on a deposit of ""5s per aar«, is areas of' not less 'ban >OO acres, for a tern o! 21 years free of rent, sab sect to renewal for a farther term of 21 years at a '.rent' of per c«nt, on their then oniraproved value. "Thfcse proposals seara ail right/" states the Minister, " provided that the lessees of such lands can produce finance, ana thai the''Crown'cot'be inr<sJvcid is compensation for improvements at the expiry of the leases. The oalv coarse that 'can ' be followed! is to '-advise the Commissioner of Crown Lands of the committee's susrsrestions so that the Land Board can consider them.'"

la respect of lands, ©a the PatetongsMsokOro Read, subject to flooding owing to sinkage, the committee- • recommend*

that the prairie value of the flooded portions be written down from £6 10s to £2 per acre, that the values of the remainder continue as at present .and that rents be reduced accordingly. It has been decided to adopt this suggestion, and special legislation will be prepared for introduction next session.

The committee recommends that the maintenance of Government roads, bridges, wharves, drains, outfalls, etc., remain under the control of this department until the roading programme is completed, or until March 31, 1930, whichever is the earlier. As a matter of course the department cannot very well relinquish control until the settlers agree to take it over.

With respect to alleged flooding of settlers' holdings on the eastern side of Piako River in 1924/ the committee finds that the losses caused by this flooding have been very much exaggerated, that the department at the time did all that could be reasonably expected from it, that claims for compensation should not be entertained, and that the position so far as the future is concerned is reasonably secure. Thev are of opinion that' stronger action should have been taken by the department against the contractor by giving him a time limit in which to complete his stopbank. Piako River Wharves. The Minister says:—"This finding is in keeping with the departmental views and reports on the matter." Taking the view that it will be many years before the river works can be completed, and that these wharves will be required in connection with the department's activities the committee recommends that the .Department of Lands should continue to maintain them and recover the cost of maintenance by adding it to the maintenance rate for drainage. The Minister's decision is:—Section 15 of Hauraki Plains Act, 1926,' gives power whereby any of these wharves, jetties, good-sheds, etc., can be sold to any public body. These wharves,, etc., are now under offer to the Hauraki Plains County Council. There are 15 wharves altogether, only one of which is in the Patetonga Riding. As only one-bal? of the users of tHese wharves are now within our rating area it would not be equitable to burden settlers with the whole cost of maintenance. The Minister therefore does not agree with the committee's suggestion in this respect and has decided that negotiations by the department with the local body • for the - purchase of these wharves be continned.