RUAWAI FLOODING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 14

RUAWAI FLOODING

GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION STATE OF BOARD'S FINANCES [BY TELEGRAPH' —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DARGAVILLE, Saturday Advice lias been received by the chairman of the Raupo Drainage Board, Mr. W. S. Wallace, from + .he Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, that in response to representations for aid in preventing flooding on properties on the Ruawai Flats, many of which were inundated by the high tide last week, a Public Works Department engineer from Wellington is being sent to Ruawai to confer with the board. The chairman reported to the monthly meeting of the board at Ruawai yesterday that five farms had been flooded and, after an inspection, lie made urgent representations to the Prime Minister, A deputation which waited 011 the board said that the settlers were prepared to loan horses, machinery and labour to the board to carry out remedial work. The clerk, Mr. E. G. Aicken, gave details of "the board's revenue figures fcr the current year. Revenue from rates would be £2860 if the board made a 100 per cent collection, which was not possible, while commitments to the end of March, 19U8, were £4.'H)O, leaving a deficit of £1440. It was the endeavour of the board to get the Government to approve a completed scheme, so that it could go to the ratepayers for a loan. The only hope of being able to farm at Ruawai was by the maintenance of stopbanks, said the chairman. If there were 110 stopbanks there would be 110 farms. He regretted that some farmers did not respect their banks and allowed stock to roam over them. It was not possible for tho hoard to maintain the banks if settlers did not keep stock off them. Mr. A. McGowan, a member of the deputation, said there was no choice in the ease of the recent flood. Dairy cattle had to have somewhere dry to ]ie down.

WAIOTAHI DRAINAGE RATES STRUCK BY BOARD [by TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] OPOTIKI, Saturday The Waiotahi Drainage Board has decided to strike a general rate of 2Jd in the pound and a security rate of 3d in tlio pound on the unimproved value of all lands classed A in the classification list for the district. No rato will bo struck on other lands.