ROTOKOHU RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4407, 28 April 1922, Page 3

ROTOKOHU RATEPAYERS.

RBI-UTATIONS TO MINISTER

- SATISFACTORY .REPLIES. Mr W. D. Keys; secretary of the Rotokohu Ratepayers’ Association, read the petition from his association, as published recently in the “Gazette.” Mr Coates said he would certainly have visited the district at the time the flood was on had it been possible, but other important Engagements prevented him doing sp. He would carefully consider the representations made, and reply in due course; PERENIKI AREA. Mr McLeod read the petition on behalf of the Pereniki area;: recently published in the “Gazette.” Mr Coates said there were very serious engineering difficulties ir. ■the way of putting the Pereniki cut through, so much so that .be was ad vised to find ap alternative. The Depat tment could purchase the land and let it at a fair rental The tapu ground also had tp be. protected, as the Givernment held that'the natives has every right to their burial grounds. He wanted sufficient time to discuss the-matter with the Minister of Lands, and see what could be done about getting other land for the 'Pereniki settlers. The ■ land question bn the right bank, as explained by Mr GeO. Buchanan; would also have to be gone into.

. Mr Geo. Buchanan, on behalf of himself and objected to the stop-bank on the left side of the Ohinemuri being erected unless adequate compensation were givep to the .holders of< land on the right bank which would be ruined by flood water and silt if the left bank was put up. The compensation provided for by the 1910 Act was on a basis of the value of the land in 1895. Mr Coates: We are not going to assess on that basis, which would be quite unjust. The Minister Intimated that the Department was prepared to act fairly towards all the petitioners.