DRAINAGE BOARDS

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 7

DRAINAGE BOARDS

PROPOSED AMALGAMATION.

CONFERENCE AT TE AROHA.

RIVER CONTROL BOARD FAVOURED

Mr F. E. Hughes presided at a meeting of the Drainage Board representatives at Te Aroha to consider the question of amalgamation, as suggested by the Minister of Lands on the occasion of a recent visit. The chairman said the meeting probably marked a turning point in drainage adminstration of the district. The maintenance of the Waitoa waterway had been a bone of contention for many years. It was the key of the drainage of a very large area. The Hungahunga Board was of the opinion that the whole of the watershed should be taken In.

Mr J. D. Mackay said the Waitoa Board was in favour of amalgamation. The Waitoa River was the permanent outlet for the whole watershed. He proposed “That this meeting favours the amalgamation and the taking in of the balance of the watershed beyond the Hungahunga Board's area. Mr Johns seconded. Mr Carter moved an amendment: “That the Drainage Boards represented at the meeting consider the best solution of the problem of serving the whole of the area as a River Control Board to control the Piako River and its tributaries from the area to the source of such tributaries.” The amendment was carried by 8 to

A further resolution, “That a recommendation be made to the boards interested that legislation be pressed for to allow the formation of a River Control Board, formed by representatives of the boards concerned, fo rate each board according to the amount of water discharged into the Waitoa and Piako Rivers."