RIVERS IMPROVEMENT.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14726, 3 August 1921, Page 8

RIVERS IMPROVEMENT.

COMMISSION AT PAEROA.

CONTRIBUTIONS CONTROVERSY.

• The Commission appointed to inquire into the matter of contributions t othe Waihou and. Ohinemuri Rivers improvement works, which are now being carried out by the Public Works Department, commenced its sitting at Paeroa yesterday. Ths Commissioners are: — 1

Mr. H. J. H. Blow (chairman). /

Mr. W, S. Short. Mr. G. Buchanan.

COUNSEL;

The. following counsel were present: — Public Works Department: Mr. E. J. Clendon. /

Hauraki Plains County Council, Hauraki Drainage Board, Komata North branch N.Z. Farmers’ Union. Hikutaia branch N.Z.F.U., Netherton branch N.Z.F.U., Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers settlers,' Paeroa Chamber of Commerce (incor.),, Tirohia Progressive League, Tirohia-Rotolcohu Ratepayers’ Association: Mr. Porritt. Paeroa Borough ’Council: Mr. J. L. Hanna. Piako County Council, Te Aroha Borough Council: Mr. P. Gilchrist. Waihi Borough Council: Mr. A. H. Johnstone. Waihi companies: Mr. H. P. Richmond. ; Ohinemuri County. Council: Mr. J. F. Montague.

The Waihi Borough and companies were supported by Mr. H. M. Jack-

son. There were also present: Mr. H. Poland,. M.P., , Mr. A. R. Robinson (chairman Ohinemuri County Council), Mr. H. M. Wynyard (Auckland), and Mr. Donaldson (Waihi). ' THE ITINERARY.

In opening the proceedings, Mr. Blow said it had been suggested that the Commission should visit the Waikino and Waihi batteries, to view the silt before it was precipitated into the river, and that an. inspection of the river should be made. After discussion, the following itinerary was decided: —

Tuesday, August 2: Leave Paeroa for Waihi, examining Karangahake and Rising Sun workings on the return journey. Wednesday, August 3: Leave Paeroa for Gordon and Shaftesbury, and return to Te Aroha, returning, to Paeroa by launch.

Thursday, August 4: Leave Paeroa for Netherton, thence by launch to Wharepoa, and proceed to ;,Kerepeehi; return to Paeroa via Wharepoa by launch. Friday, August 5 : Proceed to Puke Junction, thence by ear to inspect banks.

Courthouse, 2 p.rn.: Evidence begins. It was stated that Mr. Owen Campbell, of the Land Drainage Department, Auckland, would be at Kerepeehi, where he and the resident engineer, Mr. E. Taylor, would assist the Commission. OPENING REMARKS. In outlining the Waihi Borough Council’s easej Mr. Johnstone said the allocation of £SOO was quite inequitable at the present time; also, that while the works originally contemplated were to remedy damage said to be done by the river, the work actually done had, by draining and stop-banking, made waste lands into profitable dairy farms. The money already contributed by the. mining companies was more than sufficient to pay for the rectification of any damage done by siltation from the batteries. The farming,land which benefited by the work should pay for it, and, although an allocation of £1666 had to be paid by persons -liable under the Act, these persons had not paid one penny- within the last ten years. Mr. Blow: But you have not paid more than what you are liable for? Mr. Johnstone’: No! But the mining interests might have had an extra burden put on them, all the same. We do not know. WAIHI’S CONTENTION.

Mr. Richmond, who appeared on behalf of the Waihi Gold Mining Companies, stated that the mines’ claim was the same as for the Waihi Borough. Drainage had been carried out which would have been necessary had the mines sot been in existence. He held that the cost should be borne by the persons who benefited, and those who owned farm lands. The works were of no benefit to the mining industry, and the works that had been done were not necessary. The works for which they were paying had gone far beyond the extinction and prevention of damage by siltation. If there was no mining, the Plains would still have to be watered. In 1910 the Commission that then sat found that slimes were carried without depositing any residue. Mi-. Blow: Would that be at all tides ?

Mr. Richmond: It would, and even in slack water, and if there was any damage found from the slimes it could be attributed to the mines. He asked the Commission to consider the question of the mining industry to-day. The Talisman was in liquidation, while 'two other mines had

ceased operations. At the present time there v r ere only two mines of any consequence, and they were carrying on unprofitably. The fact of dividends being paid was solely due to other investments rather than the results from the actual mines. The mining industry could not exist on any substantial basis for more than five.qr six years. It, therefore, followed that the Commission would have to into account that a far greater proportion of the money ’fould cease, and the time must be looked to when the cost of sinking fund and maintenance of these works must be paid by the Government or by the land owner. s ' Ml’, Johnstone .said he understood that an inspection Avould be made, ilhd he wished to defer his evidence until the Commission had viewed the locality.