KAIPARA RIVER AREA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 14

KAIPARA RIVER AREA.

INQUIRY BY COMMISSION. COMPLETION OF EVIDENCE. EXTENDED DISTRICT OPPOSED. Tho commission set up to inquiro into the proposed extension of tho boundaries of tho Kaipara River Board's district completed the hearing of evidence at Kumou yesterday. Evidence had been hoard at Tlelensville on Monday, when an inspection of the district was made. The members of tho commission were Mr. 0. N. Campbell, commissioner of Crown lands; Mr. A. W. A. Sweetman, district .valuer of the Valuation Department; and Mr. F. S. Dyson, Auckland district engineer of tho Public Works Department. The board was represented by Mr. V. 11. Meredith and Mr. A. Murray, civil engineer, Mr. W. D. Alexander and Mr. E. V. Blake, surveyor and civil engineer, appeared for tho objectors. There was an attendance of 120 ratepayers of tho district concerned in tho proposed extension. In opening the case for the board, Mr. Meredith quoted a number of English authorities on land drainage. Evidence was given by Mr. Murray on the present position of the board's district and the benefits anticipated from an extension of tho area south from Ilelensville to Waitakere. At present, he said, the board controlled 7800 acres, valued at £160,960, and it was proposed to make tho area 36,000 acres, with a valuation of £501,215. Mr. Murray said tho more intensive cultivation of the land had resulted in a more rapid flow of water from the uplands, with consequent flooding. Tho inclusion of the land suggested would allow tho board to effect improvements and to strike a larger rafto. Examined by Mr. Alexander, witness said tho board had not yet adopted a definite scheme in regard to the suggested new area. Mr. Alexander: Then you -want to include an area five times greater without a definite policy. In the opinion of Messrs. R. Glasgow and G. Adams, of Taupaki, L. Foster, Waimauku, and S. Phillips, Wharepapa, benefits ' were to be expected from the more comprehensive scheme suggested and the advantage would apply to properties. Seventeen witnesses,»including Mr. W. A. Bishop, chairman of the Waitemata County Council, and Mr. J. A. Lambden, chairman of the Ivumeu Ratepayers' Association, spoke against the proposal. It was contended by objectors whose properties are on the Waitakere watershed that they have no interest in the river. Mr. Bishop said he failed to sec •that any benefit to properties would result from an extended area. Tho commission will announce its finding later.