RANGITAIKI DRAINAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Issue 8, 31 July 1945, Page 5

RANGITAIKI DRAINAGE

ANNUAL MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

mm LARGER GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY W URGED The annual meeting of the Rangitaiki Drainage Ratepayers Association was held in the Edgecumbc Hall last Tuesday there being only a poor attendance. Mr W. A. McCracken was in the chair and presented a very full report on the. committee's activities ■over the last year. From his report it was plain that the question ol 'drainage affecting the Plains was a most serious matter and worthy of close attention. The lack of up-to-date machinery and flood, damage were largely responsible factors and - the impending general survey of the 1 drainage district further aggravated the situation. The chairman expressed his appreciation of the manner in which local Departmental 01'ficers had co-operated with the committee. "All information has been made available on said Mr McCracken "and their courtesy unfailing in every respect." Dealing with the proposed formation of a Catchment Board, the chairman said such a Board would have wide powers and would act for the benefit of the people. "Such a Board must be. formed," said the chairman, ""when the question of subsidies is considered. Without a Board we are faced with low grants and high rates and the reverse will obtain Avith a Board operating." Mr R. Dunning 'urged closcst inspection of the formation of a Catchment Board and its far reaching powers adding with emphasis "I am opposed to I'urtT.er lating on the land." Mr A. Barr congratulated the committee on the past year's work and -stressed the need of machinery to deal with drains 5 feet wide. The department he felt should send a ..man abroad on a quest for suitable • equipment. The chairman's report was adopted on the motion of Mr Dunning, ..seconded by Mr Butler. A letter from the Chief Drainage Mr 11. L. Innis, advised that the'increase in the rates had been due to the increased cost of •machinery and labour, Mr Alan Marx gave figures showing an increase in rates of 250 per ■cent, over 10 years and considered the increase in rates was going to make up deficiencies of machinery that had been worn out on war work. Mr D. S. RadclifTe considered that drainage work at present in hand was capital work and should be a -charge on the nation not the ratepayers. Mr J. Colebrook: "Some of this •work should have been done 20 years •ago." 1 Mr McCracken urged the ratepayers to accept the rate increase and press for a higher subsidy. "Enginees opinions on the overtaking of maintenance work varied from 2 to 4. years," he said, "but with decent equipment the arrears would be met in a maximum of two years." It was resolved to .seek a larger .-subsidy and urged the Minister of Lands; to speed up the purchase of new equipment. The retiring committee Messrs W. R. I. Withy, A. A. Martin, A. Missen, D. S. RadclifTe, W. A. J. Colebrook and A. Marx were reflected.