THE TAUPIRI SWAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 13

THE TAUPIRI SWAMP.

DRAINAGE PROPOSALS. ACREAGE BASIS WANTED. SETTLERS OPPOSED TO ACT. [IIY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' COR RESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Monday. Very strong opposition to putting the Taupiri Drainage and River District Act into full effect without provision being made for rating on the acreage basis has been voiced by settlers- throughout the Taupiri swamp area, r.nd several objecting petitions, which have been signed by a large number of settlers, are in circula tion. A deputation of 14 settlers waited on Messrs. F. Lye, W. Lee Martin and J. A. \oung, M.P.'s, to-day, and sought their assistance in the matter. Mr. R. G. Young, tho principal spokes man, said 98 per cent, of the ratepayers were opposed to the measuro in its pros cnt form, and with very few exceptions overy ratepayer approached had signed tho petitions.

Amalgamation of Boards Sought. Many of the settlers favoured the amalgamation of the seven drainage boards operating in tho district, but they considered it unfair that the ijian who had improved his holding should carry tho burden of any loans that might bo raised in a district where there was so much idle land owned by absentees. Some of tho settlers owned land in tho Mangawara watershed, which was drained by outlets other than those mentioned in tho Government report, and would not receive any _ benefit from the proposed scheme, whilo there were others who owned land that was not in any of the present drainage boards' districts. Mr. W. F. Stark said the Motumaoho settlers were unanimously opposed to the scheme. Ho paid £l3 13s 3d in rates on 80 acres, while a neighbour, with 1602 acres of unimpioved land, paid only £l6 8s 4d. Drainage would greatly benefit these large areas, and he thought it only fair that the rating should bo based on the size of the area, and not on tho improvements, as was the case at present. Opportunity to Object. Mr. Lye said all that had been done so far was to pass the Act, and to define the area. The district had not been constituted, and ample opportunity would be given to anyone who desired to object. He suggested that it might be possible to have a clause inserted in the Local Legislation Bill, making an addition to the Taupiri Act providing for rating on the acreage basis. Mr. Martin said he was convinced that the Government would not think of doing anything which could bo regarded as being detrimental to the best interests of the ratepayers. Mr. Lye assured Iris hearers that the g members would do all in their power to assist them in securing fair treatment. Mr. Young pointed out the difficulties which settlers now had of obtaining redress, and said objections could bo made only by those whose water did not drain into the outlets named in tho Act. Rating on the acreage basis could be obtained only by promoting a local bill. He advised the settlers to consult a solicitor.

Mr. Young said provision should be made for meeting tho cost of a commission, which was bound to be set up, or a request made that tho Government should bear half tho cost and tho local bodies- the other half. He undertook to see the Minister of Internal Affairs and to ask him, in view of the strong feeling shown, that the Act should be amended to provide for rating on the acreage basis. Mr. R. A. Forsman said that unless the rating basi3 was changed as the ratepayers desired tho Act would never junction, for all loans would be solidly opposed.