Manawata Catchment Board

Chronicle (Levin), 20 July 1949, Page 3

Manawata Catchment Board

At tlie Manawata Catchment Board meeting vesterday, Mr W. MeKay was in the chai'r and also^ present were Messrs P. T. Jamieson, P. V. Ivoehler, F. E. T. Suckling, G. L. Ewen, J. D. Ait> chison, S. A. C. Darby, C. J. Hamblyn, C. Forbes, M. O. Grainger, G. W. Sampson, E. W. Low and J. B. Carruthers. An additioil of 16 aeres to the Pohangina Recreatiorial Reserve had beep made from land under the Pohangina Domain Board, according to advice received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Burke's drain floodgate had been discussed with members of the Manawatu Drainage Board on June 22, it was reported. Mr Evans had said that an •application for a £4 for £1 subsidy on the work estimated to cost £7(300 had been fonvarded through the district engineer of the Ministry of Works in Wanganui. He advised that Mr Jamie son and the local Ministry of Works were of the opinion that adherence should be made to the original seheme of enlarging the openings in the existing floodgates, on .which xvork the" estimate had been based. It was deeided that the Drainage Board sliould approach the Catchment Board in ,six months' time. " ' ' The Soil Conservation .and Rivers; Control Council had asked for the1 board's commonts on remedial worlc; regarding weeds in the Hokio' Creek. The board deeided it did not wfsh to be concerned in any work on this . s'tream; until the legal position regarding its control was classilled. Commenting on the report ot ' the Roval Sheep 'Commission, ."Mr McKay said its eriticism was unwarranted. Catchment Boards had been eondemned by men who did not know what they were doing. Most of the witnesses hardbeen men who were not concerned with river control. Mr Koehler said he thought there was no fear about Catchment Boards being abolished. Mr M. O. Grainger said he had been glad to see the report though he did not agree with it.' Mr Evans reported that judgment for the board had been given in their ease against Mr J. MeCool for building an iilegal stopbank in the Manawatu River. He was dined £3 and told to remove the bank,