DRAINAGE COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18344, 2 June 1931, Page 8

DRAINAGE COMMISSION.

BITTINGB REBUMED. COMPLETION OF EVIDENCE, The Drainage Board Amalgamation Commission resumed its sitting on Monday afternoon with. Mr F. V., Platts, S.M., as Commissioner. W. J. Andrew, chairman of the Elstow Drainage Board, said Mr Gilchrist had referred to the board’s policy and he wished state that he was quite satisfied with evidence given by Messrs W. W. Dunn and W. A. Carter. Robert Glen McMorran, chief drainage engineer, gave particulars of the work being carried out in the Awalte area and its cost. In the matter of administration he considered an amalgamation of the four boards would be satisfactory, and result in proper service over the combined area. He thought that it would be better for Elstow to come In, rather than for its hoard to be separate- One of the objects of amalgamation would be the clearance of the Waitoa River under the heading of maintenance. The sand from the Waitoa River could toe removed but need not be dredged from the higher reaches. A special commission in 1926 had favoured amalgamation of small bodies. To Mr Carter: lie knew that the boards in the present case had done splendid work for the ratepayers. They could toe well served by one larger body. W. A. Carter, member of the Elstow Board, stated he was pleased that Mr McMorran had referred to the good work of the district’s drainage trustees, and lie (witness) was of the opinion that such service might be much more difficult for one board to give. At a meeting of representatives of the district boards in Te Aroha some month ago the large majority of trustees were against amalgamation, the area being foo large for efficient service. Regarding the Waitoa River he contended that every (big flood would carry the sand further down and make for clearance. The Elstow Board and Its ratepayei's hoped there- would be no alteration in th* present system. This concluded the evidence.