TAUPIRI DRAINAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 14

TAUPIRI DRAINAGE

ALTERNATIVE OUTLET AMALGAMATION OPPOSED [from our own correspondent] Hamilton, Monday Advice that the old Orini bend in the Mangawara River would have .to be improved to provide an alternative outlet was received by the Taupiri Drainage and River Board to-day from the Minister of Public Works, tho Hon. R. Semple. This route would be used if the ordinary channel was blocked by slips. Public Works Department engineers had estimated the cost of maintaining the old river course at os a chain annually. Members of tile board considered tho estimate for maintenance rather optimistic and expressed regret that they had not been able to meet the Minister on tho ground and arrive at a decision more favourable to the board. Reference was made at the meeting to tho proposed amalgamation of local bodies, and Mr. R. G. Young, who is also a member of tho Waikato County Council, reported that although the Taupiri Board had originally been included in the county's amalgamation scheme, it had later been left out. Members considered that there wero good reasons for the continued existence of tho Taupiri Board. It was the biggest board of its kind in New Zealand and had just completed by special legislation the merging of seven drainage and river boards.

It was decided to write to tho Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and recommend that the board remain separate.