BENEFIT TO SETTLERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 39, 11 June 1947, Page 5

BENEFIT TO SETTLERS

AWAKERI-TANEATUA ROAD , Road improvements and land drainage work on the AwakeriTaneatua Road was brought to the attention of the Minister by the riding member, Cr. D. Butler. The idea was to straighten a winding stream and drain the valley. This would give help to six settlers. Some of the land was waterlogged for four months of the year and consequently was growing rushes. Most of the settlers were 100 per cent, behind the scheme, but others considered that the work would involve hardship for them. He believed this hardship could be overcome. Mr Semple replied that improvements to this section of highway were listed on the 10-year plan in high priority. The proposal was to straighten the stream and to use the metal excavated to raise the road. How soon the work was done would depend on the push given to it by the regional council.

He urged the settlers and the county council to “go for their lives” and they would get the work done promptly.

Mr H. C. Brown said he was one of the settlers who feared that he would be adversely affected by the straightening of the stream and road. A considerable part of his farm would have to be taken for this purpose. He realised that the scheme was in the interests of highway improvement, 1 land drainage and soil conservation.

Mr Semple assured Mr Brown that it was the responsibility of the department to adequately compensate owners of property taken for the sake of road and drainage improvements to a district. The department, in such cases, must either compensate the individual whose land was adversely affected or must find hiip other land in another locality.

In doing such work as this it was inevitable that someone might be injured although the district as a whole would benefit. The department would not dispossess people for the benefit of the community without compensation.

Mr Brown thanked the Minister for this statement of the position.