WAIMATUKU RIVER BOARD.

Western Star, 26 March 1920, Page 2

WAIMATUKU RIVER BOARD.

RATEPAYERS RECOMMEND EXTENSIVE WORK.

A meeting of ratepayers of the Waimatukm River District- was held in the Calcium Hall on Monday nieht, and was presided over 'by Mr A. .McKenzie, Chairman. The meeting had been called to give the ratepayers an opportunity of discussing the question of extensive protective and drainage works on the river. The River District was formed the month war broke out, the first meeting of the Board being held three .days before Germany’s dramatic onslaught on the civilised world. The Board arranged for an inspection of the river by Mr J. B. Thompson, "the Government Drainage Expert, who furnished a report, recommended the employment of an Engineer to submit to the Board a comprehensive scheme for dealing with the river. Mr'G. V. Keddell was engaged and made a very exhaustive survey, and furnished plans and made recommendations for dealing with the river from its source throughout the entire River District. The difficulties, labour, and other uncertainties created by the war induced the Board to delay action. Six months ago, however, Mr Keddell was requested to complete the survey work in detail and furnish the Board with working plans and specifications. These have been supplied, and Monday night’s meeting was held 1 to consider whether the work should he gone on with or not.

A long discussion took place, tables .showing the approximate cost to the ratepayers of financing the: scheme, which amongst other things involves the importation of a steam, shovel of a type new to the Dominion, but largely and successfully used in America, Africa and the East. The decision of the meeting, which was representative of the Lower, Middle and Upper Subdivisions of the district was practically unanimous in making a recommendation to the Board to l go ahead and take a poll of the ratepayers on the raising of a loan to carry out the work, there being only one dissentient. An adjourned meeting of the. Board is to be held to-night to take the necessary steps to give effect to the resolution. The chairman invited an expression of opinion) on the present classification of the lands for rating. ”It was resolved that the present classification: be-adhered to 1 , the Board to afford an opportunity to individual ratepayers to lodge objections aind to arrange for a propertly-constituted Court to hear and determine the objections.