RIVERS PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 6 December 1927, Page 5

RIVERS PROBLEM

INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE SHOULD SITTINGS BE HELD IN HASTINGS? LEFT TO ENGINEERS TO DECIDE. Strong exception was taken by oertain members of the Hawke's Bav Rivers Board to-day to the proposal that the investigating committee appointed to deal with the rivers problem should hold their sittings at Hastings. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that the board should meet at / Napier an hour previous before meeting the engineers, who would afterwards be free to continue their sittings where they thought would be most convenient. The subject was introduced bv Mr H R. Clark, who suggested that the board should invite the local bodies interested, or at least their engineers, to attend the committee’s sittings. The chairman, Mr, J. A. Miller, explained that it was decided to meet at Hastings in a private room which would be most suited for the engineers in their work. It had further been decided that it should bo left to the committee to call whom they thought would be most likely lib assist them in their deliberations. The committee, who were all engineers, would only be dealing with tne question from an engineering- aspect and not frith the board’s finances. The question of whether the local body engineers should be invited was purely a matter for the committee. He. personally, wanted to leave everything to them to do as they thought best. Mr Miller suggested that the local bodies be written to, asking that in the event of the committee requiring evidence from their engineers would they be available, A DIFFERENT VIEW. Mr. G. Purvis, who took took quite a different view from that of the chairman in regard to leaving everything to the committee, moved that the board should meet an hour before meeting the engineers in order to discuss any matters considered necessary. Mr, W.G. Jarvis, in seconding the motion, said that undoubtdly the proper place for the engineers to meet was in a room as near to the board’s office as possible. By holding the sittings in Hastings it seemed that the whole of the board’s office would have to be moved to Hastings for the time being. He did not like the room which had been decided upon. He did not think it would be in the best interests of all concerned if the press were excluded, as the district had a lot at stake and he was anxious that all the information be placed before the committee. NOT A COMMISSION. Mr Miller: This is not a commission. In 1912 did the engineers have the press? How are the engineers going to deliberate with the public there? The Hastings Borough Council offered their chambers for the committee. It was however, pointed out that it might be required at times for meeting. In view of this it would not be suitable to the committee, as they would require a room where they could go in and out whenever convenient and would not be disturbed. They don't want to be told what to do. Their business will be to investigate all plans and data and afterwards give their opinion. Mr. Purves: Any man should be privileged to give evidence if he wants io. _ . _ Mr Miller: What did they do in 1919? Mr. Clark: That is not analogue. They were only asked to make a report. OFFICE SHOULD BE IN HASTINGS. Mr. Purves: I would just like to say that it was mentioned one time that the whole of the board’s office should be moved to Hastings. Mr. Miller: So it should bey It is time we had some of these things at Hastings. Why should Napier have everything? Hastings is between tho two rivers and is in the centre of th“ board’s district. The motion, as stated above, that the beard should confer before meeting the engineers, was carried, it being understood that it should be left to the engineers to conduct their sittings where they thought would be most convenient.