WAIKATO SWAMPS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17412, 26 May 1928, Page 11

WAIKATO SWAMPS.

KOMAKORAU STREAM.

DRAINAGE WORK URGED.

CONFERENCE OF BOARDS

UNABLE TO REACH DECISION. Realising the necessity for direct action in connection with the clearing of the Komakorau Stream, which for years has been blocked with willows and is threatening to swamp the countryside for miles around, rcprc* sentatives of the boards concerned and the Waikato County Council met in conference yesterday. There was considerable division of opinion as lo whether the meeting should form a deputation lo wait on the Prime Minister next week and urge the setting up of a commission to investigate a drainage scheme for a large surrounding area or only to ask for a subsidy tor the Komakorau Stream work.

Mr E. Thomas (Hillside), who presided, said there were four boards represented and all were vitally interested in the Komakorau scheme. They all recognised it was time something was done and the meeting had been called to form a deputation to wait on Mr Coates next week and endeavour to obtain his assistance. The scheme would be an expensive one, but the work would be fully justified. The land was under the jurisdiction of the Hillside Drainage Board.

In reply to a question, Mr Thomas said the distance of the stream which would be attended to was about ten miles from No. 1 bridge at Gordon's road to Mr Norman Taylor's bridge. The area concerned was about 1000 acres, on which the three boards — Woodlands, Freshfield and Eureka — operated. Mr E. 11. Mayall (Hillside) asked how much the County Council was prepared to contribute, lie understood the object of the meeting was to ( ask for a Government subsidy as it was'not advisable to saddle the ratepayers with the expenses of the work at the present time. County Not Responsible. Mr W. Newell, chairman of the Waikato County Council, replied that the creek was wholly under the control of the boards and it was not incumbent on the county to contribute. lie thought it a good idea for the boards to apply for a subsidy. Mr Mayall suggested that it was the duty of the council to clear the creek of willows, which were now a serious menace and threatened to swamp the land on all sides. Mr F. T. Williamson (Freshfleld) asked whether the scheme included the provision of a drain or merely clearance of the rivers. Mr Thomas: We want to make a good job of it. Mr Williamson: If you construct a drain you will have to clear it every year, which will be an annual expense. Mr N. G. Gribble, secretary to the Waikato Swamp Development League and clerk to several of the boards, said the Government estimate of the work was approximately £4500. Danger During Rainfall. Mr A. W. Chapman (Woodlands) stated that with the fall of heavy rain the Piako road drain became flooded and electric power poles were in danger of being washed away. The road was also menaced. It was absolutely inequitable to suggest the ratepayers should be asked to pay the whole cost of draining the huge swamp. Other similar works had been carried out with the help of extensive subsidies. He considered there was no alternative but for the Government to set up a Commission. For one particular board to approach the Minister and advocate assistance on one particular section amounted to a vote of no confidence in the larger scheme. It was essential the effort, should be co-operative. Mr Thomas said the larger scheme involved, the draining of 33,000 acres of first-class land.

Mr Gribblc said in the Land Drainage Act there was no provision for responsibility of payment. To derive benefit the Act would have to be amended. The Prime Minister had staled that until the boards were unanimous no subsidy would be offered. Unanimity Essential.

"If we can as boards arrive at unanimity we shall receive better treatment from the Government than if we go with different tales," Mr Gribble added/ . Mr T. B. Insoll, county clerk, considered the whole question should be settled without a commission. A deed or agreement could be drawn up. Commissions were not always satisfactory. All the boards were apparently unanimous but Woodlands, which, was only sympathetic. He suggested the subsidy should not be less than £3OOO, as the total cost of the work would be about £6OOO. Rangataiki Scheme.

On behalf of the Eureka Drainage Board Mr Thompson said no agreement was made when the big construction work on the Rangataiki was done. Mr A. A. Woodward (county engineer) agreed, and said macbinery was also used. He was not aware of any ratepayers' agreement in connection with it. Messrs A. M. Bislcy and Chapman said if the scheme was adopted by the residents on the swamp the Minister of Lands had promised a subsidy and Government assistance in the work. Hamilton Affected. Hamilton was directly interested in the 80,000 acres of swamps outside the town, Mr Cribble averred. Until the farmers were afforded relief the town would never really progress. The services of the county and other local bodies were affected because of tbe waste land which had to bo travelled over. He made a number of suggestions for overcoming all difficulties, one being that a State guarantee of a loan would be obtainable.

Mr Newell considered board members, if they were unable to make arrangements regarding the carrying out of the whole scheme,-should be content with a subsidiary scheme. That a commission was all the Wood! .nds board and its ratepayers desired was reiterated by Mr Chapman. The chairman said he was fully convinced the time would come when the bigger scheme would have to be adopted. To-day all they could do was to proceed with the Komakorau and later the ratepayers might agree to the extension of the work. There was divided opinion among the ratepayers over the larger scheme, but not over the commission. Both Resolutions Lost. It was moved that the deputation to wait on the Premier ask for a subsidy for the Komakorau scheme. Mr Chapman moved as an amendment that the deputation ask for the setting up of a commission to inquire into the whole question. Both resolutions were lost. The Hillside representatives intimated that they cuold not agree to approach the Minister without the endorsement of the full board and their ratepayers. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman. •'