MAKERUA'S PLIGHT

Chronicle (Levin), 17 April 1946, Page 3

MAKERUA'S PLIGHT

BOARD CHAIRMAN REFLIES TO CRITICISM "We are now growing onions and potatoes on land, wnere 20 years ago, most of you would have hesitated to go in pursuit of a pukeko," declared Mr. Aitchison, replying to criticism levelled at the Makerua Drainage Board, of which he is chairman, speaking at a meeting of the Manawatu Catchment. Board yesterday. ' >}\ Mr. iieaUey, in a report, said lie liad been intervievved by a Mr. Simpson, landowner and seltler in "tlie Makerua district adjacent Tokomaru Stream, who liad complained very bitterly about eonditibns generaily, and the inetiicient majiner in which tlieiF district was be ing liandled by tlie ' drainage board. Mr, Simpson had assurpd liiin, said Mr. Heatley, tliat if spmething was uot-dom* immediately they were anticipating a major disaster. The chairman said he took the matter up with Mr. . Aitchison, and, after receiving a telephone communication on Friday, April 12, urging liirn to inspect the area and interview- the settlers, he made arrangements for a meeting on the spot on the Saturday morning. Tliere was considerable- feeiing displayed by the settlers in stating their case. After hearing their statements, and the repiies of Mr. Aitchison, and Mr I>olan (drainage board engiiieer), they inspected the area. "It was qj.ii.t-e easy to see that tliere was ample room for improvemeut in the inner drainage system," said Mr, Hoatley. "After viewing this and the pumping plant, we proceeded to the main outlet stream, the Tokomaru River. I was very. perturbed wlien I savy the congested and obstructed state of this outlet. While this -state • of affairs is allowed to eontinue : there is a defmite danger of a major disaster through banks being ov.e.r-topped by flood conditiohs. The whple : situation, in inv opiuion, ealls for prompt aetion." Mr. Ileatley said he liad advised the settler.s to co-operate with the drainage board, and assured .them that drainage board, and assured tliem that the eatchment board would do everything posfjjble to assist in meeting- the .serious problems confronting them. Briefly tracing the work done by the drainage board, Mr Aitchison said their hands were tied because of the lack of adeqnate iinances. In nearlv 20 years between £150,000 and £160,000 had been raised by loan to deal with drainage work, and now althougli the board eollectcd about £10,000 annually, £11,000 went in fixed annual charges. Asked if the willows and weeds blocking the Tokomaru -River were the main cause of the trouble, Mr Aitchison replied tliat in his opinion the Manawata River was tlie principal source of worry. "But the 'willows are a prime nuisancpy" lie sai'd. , "We ' cannot fmd a metliod of getting rid of them. We have asked all New Zealand for a solution' but it has not beeh forthooming." Mr. Heatlev: ' What about dredging? Mr. Aitcliison: Ycs, if you can proeufe for us a dredge. After furthev diseussion, t-he board decided to appl.y to the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Couneil for larger subsidies for the drainage board.