Horowhenua Lake.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 December 1916, Page 2

Horowhenua Lake.

FIH.ST MEETING OF THE NEW BOARD OF CONTROL. DRAIXAGiE OF HOKIO STREAM.

The newly-constituted ''Horowlimua Lake Domain Board" held its initial meeting last night. There were present Messrs B. R. Gardener, M. Fosella, J. Robertson, E. M. Hefriok, J. Broughton and E. Paki. It was resolved to defer until next meeting the election of officers, as last night's meeting was not fully representative. Mr Robertson was appointed chairman for the evening. Mr B. R. Gardener, chairman of the old board, exlaincd to the meeting, the position set up by this year's Act. It prevented any drainage work being done bj' Horowhenua County Council, so far as the lake was concerned, without the consent of the board. It was in recognition of this tact that a deputation intended to wait upon the boatrd that evening, to ask it to make recommendations as to drainage of the lake, such recommendations to go before the county council at its meeting nest iSaturday. The deputation regarded the need for drninage as urgent, and it would ask the board to decide upon tTie deputation's request at once, so that representations could be made to the county council next Saturday.

On the motion of Mr Robertson, seconded by Mr Brougliton, Mr Gardener was asked to act as clerk for the time being. In the course of a discussion as to the boundaries within the board's jurisdiction, Mr Brougliton contended that although the Act speeiOn the best appointed tables you invariably find the best Malt Vinegar— Sharland'fi. Pure, piquant, palatable. In bulk and bottle at-all grocers.

lied certain lines, the fact remained that some of the land indicated wa» private property (Crown granted). Ho was sati.vlisu with this, but could Parliament do itl* A DEPUTATION. .Messrs John Ryder and Ales Mwrray waited 011 tlw> board. Mr Ryder said that in consequence of vegetation growing in the Hokio (stream the water now was right up to the bank 011 his property. '1 lie vegetation floated on top of the water, and there was so little fall that the current could not push it out; consequently there was silting. It really needed doing twice a year (say in Dec-ember and April.) The chairman remarked tlwt the ex- | pense of any drainage .should coine upt-u the He to whan ua County Council; it v.iuld not bo fair to ask the board to meet it, lov the council received the rates ' Mr Murry said that during the rains of two weeks ago the water was damniied back abonjt lone hundred and eleven chains fvom the .Beach road. The new road at the rear of his property was threatened by the waters; they hud been back 115 chains there, right to the back oi the iState I'arm. An enormous quantity of water had been turned into the lake, and 110 provision had been made to let it out. it was undoubted that the waterraces had made iLevin. Mr Broughton: Made the pakelia, but ruined the Maori 1 Mr Murray : Oh. query! (Laughter). Mr Brought.m asked Mr Murray could he give the levels of the'land in that vicinity. Mr Murray said ho could not. A GENERAL DISCTJSiSION. Mr Gardener said that before ever the water-races ran into the stream the lake was rogu'ailv cleaned out. Therefore it must need more cleaning now. It • needed it in the old days; why had it not been done ;n late years P When the more recent efforts at drainage were made, some people got frightened. An immense amount of water was taken out, but it lound its own level; nothing went wrong, and no one was hurt. It "Seemed to him that some definite and * systematic scheme for taking out the water should be brought down. Perhaps it would be advisable to put in n lock or a concrete dam, so that the water could be turned on or off without detriment to the natives or their fishing rights and without detriment to the owners of land near the lake. Mr Robertson said ho took it that the functions of tho board were tosafeguard the interests of the public 111 the lake and its band reserve, and also to prevent hardship to the settlers in its vicinity. He thought it was the feeling of the members of tho new board that they should visit the lake and lands under its control, and then the board could approach its duties with a full knowledge of the facts. Mr Ryder said' he was only asking for the Hokio stream to be cleaned out, as was done ilast year. The water was rising iall the time—it had risen two inches this week—and all because the mouth of the Hokio was blocked with weeds. There was no risk of the lake, being spoilt; it had a hard metal bottom, and 110 harm could be occasioned by merely cleaning out the stream's mouth. Mr Paki suggested that the board examine the stream some day 'nextweek. Mr Kosella said that next week would be too late; they should go without delay. Discussing the point a§ to levels, Mr Herrick said it was a question for experts. He thought Mr Gardener's suggestion v.as the only safe way. Mr Broughton : They took too much water out last year. Mr Gardener: But it's all back! j Mr .Broughton: Oh, yes; heavy | ruins every spring 1 Mr Paki said the natives were mot j thinking so much about the waterlevel hs the eel. The eels went down to the sea to breed, but how would they get back if there was a watcr'gate to block them. Mr Broughton: A lock would never r] o the natives I Mr F>'Sella said the lake was higher twenty-two years ago than it was today. . Mr Broughton: ''Quite right; 1 used to bring miy canoe right into Kirkcaldie's paddock in those dajs. In answer to Mr Herrick, Mr Broughton said that tho eels were very scarce last year for some time after the drainage was carried out. Mr Herrick: But it was a very dry season. , Mr Broughton: Oh, but the drainage caused it; the eels would have been kept in if there had been 110 drainage work. Considerable discussion ensued as to the actual boundaries of the lake, and opinions were expresed that a survey would have to be made before finality could be reached as to where the actual lake areas lay. Mr Robertson thought it would be well if the board asked the county council to appoint representatives tc go with the board on an inspection tour of the lake. ,Mr Gardener: 'With power to act. Mr Robertson: "Yes." He wouk mrve "That the board make a visii of inspection to the lake on Wednos day, 13th December, and that it as! the council to send representatives 01 a visit, the council's representative: to have power to act in matters o urgent necessity aa to drainage tha might arise." This was seconded by Councilor Fo sela and carried ncm. con. It was decided to notify the count; council that the board would accep 110 responsibility i'or cost oF an; drainage work done at the lake.