KAITAIA DRAINAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 18

KAITAIA DRAINAGE.

COST OF THE SCHEME,

A deputation from the Kaitaia Drainage Committee waited on the Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. MeLeod, on Monday, when a petition from the settlers in the Kaitaia swamp drainage area was presented, asking: (1) That a Royal Commission be appointed to inquire into the cost of the drainage scheme in the Kaitaia swamp drainage area, the cost, and the rating thereon; (2) that a reduction be made in the capital cost; (3) that a reclassification of the area be authorised; (4) that settlers be given the right of appeal against classification; (5) that no capital rate be levied until the drainage schcme is completed.

In reply to the deputation, Mr. MeLeod stated that he had agreed that a reclassification of the area should be made, and that the necessary legislation would be pu# before Parliament at an early date. Settlers would .be given the right of appeal against classification, The collation of rates would wait until reclassification had been made. Mr. MeLeod was not prepared to go into the question of writing down the capital cost until the reclassification had been completed, and the amount known that each class would be called upon to pay. Ho was of the opinion that a Departmental commission would be of more benefit to the settlers than a Royal Commission.