CATCHMENT BOARD PROBLEMS

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1237, 3 July 1947, Page 3

CATCHMENT BOARD PROBLEMS

HAURAKI BODY MEETS Report Sought On Piako River At the June meeting of the Hauraki Catchment Board a resolution requesting the Soil Conservation Council to make available to the board the services of Mr. A. *P. Grant, chief engineer *to the council, in order (that he might prepare a full report on problems associated with the Piako River, was carried. The board would then be in a position to deal with 1 various problems, and provide drainage for areas which now suffered damage through flooding.

.Speaking to the motion, Mr. D. G. McMillan (Paeroa) said he was most concerned about the future policy of the Lands Department. It was futile to obtain a report on river problems and remedies if the river and much of the adjoining land was under the control of the department. The board should know whether the department was prepared to surrender control of Piako River, or would it dictate a policy to the hoard. This was a matter which should be dealt with in Mr Grant’s report. The board should also know whether the department would complete the Maukcro Canal, in order to re lieve flooding in the upper reaches of the Piako and the lower Waihou rivers.

Preparing for Settlement

Mr. E. Taylor, chief drainage engineer to the department, said the only reason for the department’s operations was preparation of lands for settlement. As soon as a block was sufficiently productive and ready for settlement its drainage was handed over the a drainage board. Mr. W. A. Rushton asked if the drainage hoard taking over the administration received any subsidy towards maintenance of drains. M* Taylor replying in the affirmative. When the Hauraki United Drainage Board took over an area the grant was 10s in the £, dropping 2s per year until it disappeared. It was important that maintenance work be done, both to the larger drains and river works. It would be tha function of the Hauraki Catchment Board to do this when it took over. Regarding the Maukoro Canal, this was not intended to connect with the river, but to relieve the water from the hill country.

Mr. Taylor said he merely expressed his own opinion, and not that of his department, but he did not think there would be the slightest objection to handing over the control of the river and assist in every way possible as soon as the board was in a position to take over. The Soil Conservation Council will be requested to furnish a report on the Waihou and Ohinemuri rivers, and the conditions under which it would allow the Hauraki Catchment Board to take over the administration of these rivers.