17

D.—6f

(2.) Hauraki, Plains County. The Hauraki Plains County is the area principally benefited by the riverimprovement works and by the clearing of the river for navigation, and a very substantial contribution should be obtained from this area, and a large proportion of the lands in that county are accordingly shown on the plan attached hereto [not printed] as coming within Classes A and B, and will consequently bear fairly heavy rating. Included in the area is about 25,000 acres of Crown land which the Land Drainage Engineer in evidence admitted cannot be settled without the protection which the Waihou River improvement works afford. (3.) Ohinemuri County. A large area of the land in the Ohinemuri County will certainly be benefited by the scheme, and must be prepared to bear its fair proportion of the expense. Moreover, the benefits to the Ohinemuri County and Paeroa Borough by the Puke Wharf being the head of navigation on. the river for seagoing vessels will be very considerable, and will quite warrant a certain amount of rating on the land in addition to the payment of port dues and wharf charges. (4). Piako County. The lands in the Piako County will be benefited by the scheme, in some cases to a considerable extent, and a moderate rate from Piako lands may therefore very reasonably be asked for. Moreover, the improvement of the navigability of the Waihou River is a matter of importance and value to the Piako County. (5.) Matamata County. A portion of the lands in the Matamata County immediately abut upon the Waihou River, and other lands in that county drain into that river and must derive benefit therefrom, as well as being liable to add sand and other detritus to the burden of silt which the river always has to carry. In the opinion of the Commission the tributary streams of the Waihou River in the Matamata County (see Appendix D) [not printed], together with the Waihou River itself, are the main sources of the large supply of river-sands which the river carries. (6.) Thames Borough. The present prosperity of the Borough of Thames is largely attributable to the settling of the Hauraki Plains and the trade which the town, derives therefrom. The prosperity of the Hauraki Plains County will be enhanced by the river-improve-ment works, and, as this prosperity is reflected in the progress of Thames Borough, a moderate contribution to the fund should be obtained from that borough. The borough will also benefit directly by the protection from inundation of the large Thames Borough endowment in the Piako County. (7.) Paeroa Borough. The Paeroa Borough will benefit by the scheme, as pointed out by Mr. Clendon in his remarks quoted in this report, with which the Commission to a large extent agrees. It may also be found to be practicable, when the Paeroa-Pokeno Railway comes to be constructed, to connect the new wharf at Ngahina, with the railway by means of a siding. If this can be done, goods for the districts of which Paeroa is the centre could be transferred direct from, steamers to the railway-wagons. In justice to the borough the Ohinemuri River should be cleared, at any rate sufficiently to give as good a service as to Te Aroha —viz., to make it fit for barge traffic to the town wharf. Moreover, Paeroa, which was at one time liable to very serious flooding by the river, should now enjoy complete immunity from inundation, as the stop-banks, present and proposed, practically encircle the town.

3-D. 6f.