The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1921. THE INLAND WATERWAYS’ COMMISSION.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 620, 1 April 1921, Page 4

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1921. THE INLAND WATERWAYS’ COMMISSION.

After being held in abeyance for some seven years, the Commission appointed to enquire into the question of the improvement of the Waikato River, and as to the advisability of constructing certain canals, is about to commence its work. The programme is a most extensive one, comprising not only the Waikato and its tributaries, but the linking up of the Kaipara Harbour with the Waitemata, the Waitemata with the Manukau, the Manukau with the Waikato, and the Waikato with the Firth of Thames on the Waihou River.

“We nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice.”

We have not space to give the order of reference in its entirity, comprising, as it does, some fourteen paragraphs, the last being the construction of a bridge across the Waitqmata Harbouz% but it will easily be gathered that if projects so ambitious are favourably reported on they cannot be carried into effect without a huge expenditure. The usual way in which funds for such works are provided is by way of loans secured upon the rateable value of lands supposed to be benefitted, and this procedure has not been overlooked in the present case.

Clause 11. “As to whether the adjacent districts should be subject to rating to provide a guarantee for loans which might be necessary to provide funds for construction purposes, and as to whether those districts should be rated to provide for loans in working.” It will thus be seen that landowners over a very large area will be vitally affected by the finding of the Commission, and we trust that" those who have special knowledge and opinions as to what ought to be done, and how it ought to be paid for, will not neglect to give evidence. In this connection, we draw the attention of our readers to an advertisement in this issue, signed by Mr Henry E. R. L. Wily. Mr Wily, who has taken a great interest in the management and control of the Waikato for a number of years, has been asked by a number of local bodies and private owners to watch the proceedings in their interests, and desires to get into communication with those capable of and willing to give evidence. We understand that sittings will be held at Waiuku,. Tuakau, Ngruawahia, Hamilton, and perhaps other places.