DRAINAGE SCHEME

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6404, 18 October 1923, Page 5

DRAINAGE SCHEME

WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THESE DISTRICTS? IMPROVING THE WAITOA RIVER SUGGESTED WHAKAHORO CANAL On Wednesday of last week Mr Hugh Poland, M.P., Mr 0. N. Campbell (Chief Drainage Engineer), and Mr E. C. Taylor (Assistant Engineer), were accompanied by interested persons to the lower Waitoa district and shown drainage improvement works which were proposed to be carried out. The accompanying party comprised Messrs F. W. Walters, A. A. Wagstaff, G. W. Horn (Waitoa Drainage Board), F. E. Hughes and F. C. Hansen (Hungahunga Board), F. T. Rowe (Elstow Board), W. R. Johnson (engineer for the three Boards), and ,settlers from the Ottway settlement and the adjoining Crown lands. Messrs Fielder, Hyde and Fisk were spokesmen for the Crown lands settlers, and Messrs W. J. Andrews and F. Flowerday for the Ottway settlers. An apology for unavoidable absence was received from Mr G. E. Macmillan, M.P.

DREDGING THE WAITOA The principal question put before Mr Poland and the drainage engineers was regarding the continuation of the dredging of the Waitoa river' from the point of intersection of the North road to the Ohine creek in accordance with the previous promise of the former Minister for Lands (Hon. G. W. Guthrie). The dredging work had been kept going until some five months ago, when the point before mentioned was reached, and the Associated Drainage Boards (the Waitoa, Elstow and Hungahunga Boards) were advised by the Land Drainage Department that before going any further with the work it would be necessary for the drainage boards operating in the upper districts to bear a portion of the cost. Estimates were compiled and the Department considered that the drainage boards interested should bear at at least two-thirds of the estimated cost of £7000; or' a sum of £4667 between them. The portion in dispute is about three miles in distance. Upon receipt of this intimation from the Department, the associated boards expressed surprise, as the Minister had proniised to do the work which the boards were led to believe would be done free of cost to them. The acceptance of the Department’s latest suggestion would mean that the lands in the respective districts would be heavily burdened with the raising of the money necessary. Representations strongly protesting- against the departure from the original promise were made but so far without avail. • MR POLAND SUPPORTS BOARDS After hearing the position explained to him from the boards’ point of view, mr Poland supported the boards’ contention, and stated that he, personally, had had a promise from Hon. Guthrie, and also from Mr J. B. Thompson (Under-secretary of Lands) to the effect that the work would be done free of cost to the Boards. If evidence of the Minister of Lands’ attitude regarding the scheme at that time was needed, Mr Poland remarked that such could be obtained by referring to the number of “Hansard” recording a question asked by Mr Poland of Hon. Guthrie in respect to the,Waitoa river dredging. Hon. Guthrie mentioned also, said Mr Poland, that it would be necessary to remove to Kerepeehi. for repairs to the dredge then working in the stream, as it was unsuitable for the class of country it' was then working in; but, that it was proposed to continue with the dredging with a new type of dredge which was being assembled at Kerepeehi. j

QUITE EASY ABOUT MATTERS Mr Campbell said that if the Minister's attitude was as stated, he was quite easy about matters. He and his assistant, Mr Taylor, were of the opinion that the associated boards operating higher up stream should contribute to the extent as mentioned in their reply to the Boards, arid this was the recommendation which they had made to the Minister. Ultimately Mr Poland advised that the Minister of Lands (Hon. Nosworthy), and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. Bollard), proposed coming to this district in the course of a few weeks, and it was thereupon resolved that the representatives of the Associated Boards meet the Ministers and put the whole question -before them for consideration.

If it is impossible for the Department to adhere to its previous promise and complete the work up as far as I;he Ohino creek at no cost to the

Boards, then a request wi that the dredging be contii Department’s expense to { far as the point of the junc Paeroa-Tahuna roads. If is granted the cost ifo the ] be greatly reduced.