DRAINAGE OF LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 13

DRAINAGE OF LAND.

WOODLANDS SWAMP AREA

DISCUSSION AT HAMILTON

[liV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1

H AM ILTON, Thursd a y

Proposals for the amalgamation of tho drainage boards operating in tho Woodlands swamp were further discussed today by the committee which was recently appointed by a conference of drainage boards to report on tho scheme. Frequent references were made to the desirability of unified control, and the chairman, Mr. L. li. W. Reid, emphasised the importance of co-operation between the. various boards.

Mr. Reid said the major development schemes in tho Komakorau and Mangawara districts were too ■ big for the settlers concerned. TTo thought the Government should realise the importance of clearing the lower reaches of these rivers.

Mr. A. R. (ice said the effect of drainage in tho Upper Mangawara had been Lhe flooding of lands near the outlet. Mr. W. Newell, chairman of tho Waikato County Council, and Mr. A. H. Waring, chairman of tho Mapoto Board, expressed objection to the initiative being taken by the Swamp Development League. It was decided that a deputation should wait upon the league to decido a course of action in further negotiations. A letter was received from tho Lands Department, stating that further engineering surveys would be taken in the Hoeo, Tainui and Tauhei basins. Tho chairman said that with the exception of tho Mangawara, Mapoto and Mangawara Boards no answer had been received to a request to provide information regarding rates in tho various drainage districts. Such information was necessary, especially in connection with Ministerial visits.

A motion approving the resolutions of the recent conference of drainage hoards in Hamilton with regard to development was carried.

It was decided to support the Hillside Drainage Board in asking tho Government, for a grant.