MARLBOROUGH AND HAWKE'S BAY RIVERS BILL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 660, 1 March 1869, Page 2

MARLBOROUGH AND HAWKE'S BAY RIVERS BILL.

PUBLIC MEETING AT MEANER

fFrqm. ffte Hawke's Bay Herald, 27th February.) A public meeting was held at the Meanee Hotel, on Thursday last, " to consider the propriety of putting in force the Hawkers Bay and Marl-! borough Risers Bill, Mr H. S. Tiffen having been called,to the chair, he read the advertisement calling the meeting, and then called upon the Provincial Engineer to give certain explanations with which, it was understood, he had come prepared, Mr Weber, afoersome preliminary remarks, referred to the overflow of the Ngaruroro at Roy's hill, which filled the Waitio creek, which, in turn, filled other creeks, including one blind one which led into the Tutaekuri. Then there was the overflow of the latter at several places, which rendered useless a large tract of land on the south side of the river. What he had to propose was what had been proposed more than once before—the cutting of a straight channel from Taipo to the lagoon ; but as this alone would not benefit a tract on the other side of the river, which comprised some 7000 or 8000 acres of rateable land, he would further propose that the blind creek before mentioned should he enlarged by continuing the canal up to the Waitio, thereby giving outlet for the storm waters both of the Waitio creek and the Meanee river, The canal (according to a section laid on the table) would be 60 feet in width by a depth of 4 feet. At 25 feet from the edge a bank would be constructed, to occupy 29 feet in breadth, and ascend gradually to a height of 5 feet above the ground. This would give room for far more than all that it would be required to carry, from both sources. The length of this canal would be 2J miles, and of the upper embankment 1| miles. The breadth of ground occupied would be 3 chains. The probable cost would be as follows. As to the value of the land, he could only speak approximately. Cost of canal, at 7|d per cubic yard £4IOO Cost of land required, fiO acres at £ls ... »i'm> Fencing-in both sides, 5 miles at £l2O ... 6X> Bridge on main road 6(X< Upiier embankment, at 7d per cubic yard HK)O Sundries ... ... .« ... 500 £BOOO Then as to the ways and means. The district indicated on the map he laid upon the toble would comprise about 16,500 acres of rateable land, which, according to his estimate, would yield an annual revenue of £l4Bl. His calculation was thus made :—- GOOO acres at 3s £9OO 6000 acres at Is 6d 375 5500 acres at 9d 208 £1431 Of this amount, he proposed that—presuming the Conservators (if elected) to be able to raise £BOOO to carry on the necessary works —£1200 should be set apart for interest and sinking fund, which, even at 10 per cent., would clear off the debt in 8 years. This would leave an annual sum of £2Bl available for the maintenance of the banks and other works.

! In reply to questions, Mr Weber said that the proposed canal was not intended to supersede the present river ; that the fall would be about 6 feet; and that Mr Balfour (who said that he could not recommend this cutting on account of the danger) had afterwards seen reason to modify his views.

Mr James Shirley said that the back water would be considerable. He doubted also if a canal of the dimensions indicated would carry off the waste water. Then there was great danger from the light character of the soil, interspersed as it was bj shingle beds.

Ml* V/eber said that the canal| would hold a much larger body of water than was supposed. The water, from the rapidity of the current, would make its way to the entrance, without any unusual backing up. Mr Shirley.—The scheme is just one to destroy one district in order to improve others. Let us alone and we will protect ourselves.

Mr Weber.—With all my heart; I would be very thankful to be relieved of the duty. I only do it in

order that you may not afterwards sav that when I was in office I neglected your interests. This is th& third attempt of the land I have, made, but after this I wash my hands of it. .

Mr Powdrell was surprised tu hear so wild a scheme gravely brought forward, as that involved in bringing the Ngaruroro into the Tutaekuri. (Mr Weber : No) It would simply smother the place al« together. It would be more to the purpose to stop the creek at the back of the pa than lead it down to. the Meanee. (Applause.) He would move that the meeting resolve itself into smoke. (Laughter.) Mr Cuff said that the plans proposed miglit not be the very bestj but they had not met to judge of plans, These would be matter of after and mature consideration. They had to determine whether or not'the Act should be put in force and conservators appointed. If not, then every man woulcl just have to look after his own land. (Mr Powdrell.—That's the right way.)

Mr Heslop said that prevention •was better than Gure. Let them keep the Ngaruroro in its own bed, and not smother one part of the community to relive another (cheers.) Mr Sealy asked whether Mr Powdrell Jrad any other scheme to propose. It was \ery easy to find; fault.

Mr Powdhel.— No ; we are in frying pan, but don't want to get. into the fire.

Mr Hallet was of the same opinion as Jbe had always been —that tho. proper course would be to raise the banks of the present river to a uni* form level.

Capt, W. Russell, with the of facilitating some decision, would move-

That the district indicated by linos on the map, be constituted a district witlnn the meaning of the llawke's Bay and Marlborough Rivers Bill.

Mr Heslop asked why the Karamu plains were not included in the district. All that block would bebenefited, yet all the expense vaa sought to be thrown upon anothersection of the inhabitants.

Capt Russell said that the, greater part of the Karamu plaina. were drained in another direction, into the Ngaruroro. Mr Sladen moved, as an amend* ment—

That the district be extended;to the whole of land that is injured by the flooding of the Kg*-, ruroro and Tutaekuri rivers.

Mr IJeslop seconded the amendment.

Capt. Russell. —In that case, a second canal would be required, to relieve the district in question. The work now proposed would not do it.

Mr Sealy did not believe in introducing any more Ngaruroro water than the north and Houth Meanee got at present. "With that view, therefore, he would move as, an amendment —

That the Tntaekuri-watmate shoxild be boundary of the district, instead of the western, boundary shown by Mr Weber's map.

Mr Cuff seconded the amendment, -which was agreed to, the others having been negatived.

Mr Powdrell would like to ask how it was that, out of some £58,000= voted for public works during the last session of the Provincial Council, not a penny was voted for a woik that seemed so necessary aa. this, or for any other where the Meanee was concerned. Mr Alley would be inclined to propose that the whole thing fall to, the ground, and that the river be allowed to go its old natural course.

Mr Sealy would move the following in order that it might be ascertained whether three-fourths, of the owners of the acreage in the district were willing that the Ace should come into, force—

That a committee be appinted to. consult the owners ov occupiers within the district agreed upon by the last resolution, and obtain signatures to a petition necessary for bringing the Act into operation. Connnitte to consist of the following gentlemen—Messrs Tuke, Sladen, 6. Peacock, Wood, and Cuff.

Mr Sladen seconded the which was agreed to.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.