D.—6f

Session li. 1921-22. NEW ZEAL A N D.

WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI RIVERS COMMISSION, 1921 (REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

GO NT E NTS. Page . . Page Commission .. .. .. • ■ .. 2 Report of the Commission— continued. Letter of Transmittal .. .. .. .. :! Funds already raised for Work.. .. ..13 Responsibility for Interest and Sinking Fund . . 14 Report. Delay in setting up Commission .. ..14 Order of Reference .. .. .. .. 4 Courses of Action open for Adoption .. . . 14 Proceedings of Commission .. .. ..5 Reasons for and against Different Courses .. 14 Parties represented at Inquiry .. .. ;. 5 Local Monetary Assistance only reasonable .. 15 Limitation of Order of Reference.. .. .. (i Collection of Contributions from Rating-areas .. 16 Contentions of the Parties — Benefits to Counties and Boroughs considered— (a.) Tho Waihi Borough Council .. .. 6 (1.) Thames County .. .. .. ..16 (It.) 1 The Gold-mine Owners .. .. ..7 (2.) Hauraki Plains County .. .. ..17 (c.) The Paeroa Borough Council .. .. 7 (3.) Ohinemuri County .. .. ..17 (d.) The Ohinemuri County Council .. .. 8 (4.) Piako County .. .. .. ..17 (c.) The Matamata County Council .. ..8 (5.) Matamata County .. .. ..17 (/.) The Piako County Council.. .. .. 8 (6.) Thames Borough.. .. .. ..17 (g.) The To Aroha Borough Council . . .. 9 (7.) Paeroa Borough .. .. .. .. 17 (h.) The Hauraki Plains County Council and (8.) Te Aroha Borough .. .. .. 18 other Public Bodies .. .. .. 9 Waihi Borough Finances .. .. 18 (i.) The Thames County Council .. ..9 Rentals for Mining Privileges .. ... ..18 ( j.) The Thames Borough Council .. ..9 Waihi Hospital .. .. .. ..18 Contentions of the Public Works Department— Waihi Hospital Board .. .. . . .. 19 Generally .. .. ■• ■• ..9 Navigation of the Waihou River .. .. .. ]9 (a.) As to Waihi Borough .. . . 10 Removal of Sand from River .. ... ■ 20 (b.) As to Mine-owners . . .. 11 Dues for Uso of River .. .. .. .. 20 (c.) As to the Paeroa Borough.. .. ..11 Land taken for River-improvement Works: Bctter(d), (c), (f), (h), (i). As to County Councils .. 11 ment Principle .. .. .. ..20 (g. ) As to the Te Aroha Borough .. ..11 General Recommendations— (j.) As to tho Thames Borough .. ..12 (a.) As to Contributions .. .. ..21 Report of the Commission — (/'.) As to Government Subsidy .. ..21 General Remarks .. .. .. ..12 Proclamations declaring Rivers Sludge-channels .. 21 Financial Aspects of tho Problem .. 13 Crown Lands to be loaded for Improvements .. 22 Estimate of Cost of Works .. .. ~13 Setting up of River Board .. .. ..22 Provision of Interest and Sinking Fund. . .. 13 Findings of Commission.. .. .. .. .23 Appendices. ■. ■ Appendix Draft Rating Scheme submitted by the Public Works Department .. .. .. .. .. A. Table showing Areas and Suggested Classification of Land benefited by Works or depositing Silt in Rivers .. B. Mr. Hanna's suggested Rating Scheme .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0. Map showing Waihou River and Tributary Streams in Matamata County [not printed] .. ... .. D. Estimate of Cost to complete Works.. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .'. E, Plan showing Works completed, in hand, and proposed, [not printed] .. . . .. .. ','; F. Plan showing Area of Land suggested to be classified and rated [not printed]. .. ~ ~ ~ G,

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