ROTOKOHU RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4395, 27 March 1922, Page 1

ROTOKOHU RATEPAYERS.

THE PROMISED PROTECTION. TREATY OF WAITANGI. RIGHTS OF NATIVE OWNERS. Further discussion in reference to the question of protection of ’the Rotokohu lands from flooding took place at a, meeting of the Rotokohu-Tirohia’-Pereniki Ratepayers’ Associtiion held on Friday night, Mr L. E. Cassrels presiding. The secretary (Mr W. D. Keys) reported that he had written to tne Minister for Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) respecting the flood damage The Minister had replied by wire from the South Island, stating that he would give the matter “careful consideration.” The desirability of a live interest being taken in the organisation was stressed by the chairman. The value of the land was greatly affected by the efficiency of the drainage and the protection from flooding. The value of the land oufeide the area subject to floods was affected by the inundation bf t,he lands liable to submersion. With the object of reviving and intensifying interest in the objects of .the association, he moved that? the history of the organisation from its inception be compiled and distributed to all those interested. Such a composition would enlighten many settlers as to the valuable work already accomplihsed by the Association. Also, a social gathering should be held, at which the Association could be formally constituted and its efforts consolidated. i Mr Chamberlain seconded, and the, motion was carried unanimously. AN UNFULFILLED PROMISE. Haora Tcreranui intimated through an interpreter, Mr Peke, that in 1914 the Government offered the natives a sum of-money as compensation for flood dam, age. Mr Hawera stood up ■ in the meetinghouse and advised that the Government should keep the money and use it to pay for the stopbanking. This was: agreed tb, but although the Government retained the money it had hot erected the stop-bank. The natives’, rights in the matter were provided fbr under the Treaty of Waitangi, the validity of which the Imperial Government had recently .endorsed. ■ The Maoris suffered more than the pakehas from flooding. COMPETENT INSPECTION WANTED.

Referring to the inspection by Mr McKenzie (Public Works, Department engineer), Mr Keys said lie had protested. that an engineer was not competent' to estimate damage from the farming point of view. The Minister for Public Works had thereupon promised that he would ask the Minister for Lands (Hoik D. H. Guthrie) to instruct a Crown Lands ranger to report and prepare an urgent report. This inspection had not yet been made. UNWARRANTED DELAY. The delay taking place on the part of the Government was condemned by the chairman. It was decided to make further emphatic protest against the dilly-dallying, general inactivity, and lack of' decided policy or definite .action. Furthermore, the meeting decided ftp ask all .those who had sent telegrams to the Minister for Public Works in respect to the damage to follow up with, letters. • ANNUAL SMOKER. Next Thursday evpning was fixed on for the “annual smoker, and it was decided to invite all .those interested to attend. Matters in respect to drainage,, flooding, reading, etc., will be discussed. REFERENCE BOARD. Referring to the meeting of the Thames Valley Drainage Reference Board being held to-day, Mr Keys remarked that the Association had been the prime mover in getting the Board set up.

Mr Keys was deputed to wait upon the Board, and puti before them matters concerning the Association’s interests, such as tjie completion M the stop-bank on the left bank of the Ohinemuri and the finishing of the Rotokohu drain to the Puke,