LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4411, 8 May 1922, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. AN APPRECIATION. Sir,—lt is a general pastime amongst members of the public to amuse themselves at the expense of the Public Works Department; its mudd’lng and inefficiency, delays and extrr vnganco, etc., much of the criticism one hears being closely akin to the good old Digger opinions of all tin hats and heads. Yet there is a limit to critic'sm when such becomes unfair or exaggerated. And it ■should be generally remembered that the Public Works Department are restrained ever from publicly presenting their ’case. I think, therefore, that a small appreciation of the gigantic improvements scheme nbw under way on our rivers should be mentioned.

To begin with, following immense damages from, floods and mining silt, a Commission was set up in 1910. As a result of that Commission's findings a scheme was brought forward for the protection 'of the rivers and rich lands of this, district. Following the War,, and the large increases in all costs of the scheme, a larger financial amount was required than originally estimated. We then had several other Commissions, the most important of which was the engineering one of 1919. From that Commission has come the present complete and comprehensive scheme for restoring the rivers, protecting and draining areas of land, and opening up for production other areas. -It is obvious, therefore, that the scheme bias outgrown its original limited scope, and become an aljmost national work, and is of its kind probably the greatest engineering protective drainage work in Australasia. It is to .the engineers, therefore, who have built up this vast scheme, that the districts of the Hauraki Plains will be indebted to in days to come. When tens of thousands of acres of wonderful land will be cut up into forty or fi'/ty-aare farms, served by good roads and waterways, secure from floods, and with; the great aid of electric power on every farm, then will the Hauraki Plains: become the model area of New Zealand—possibly of the world. And i£ is largely to the Public Works De - partment that these possibilities will become feasible. It is to thjese engineers, therefore, ’we should to-d.ay pay our tribute. And the New Zealand Government also can be congratulated on their fan-sighted policy of. carrying out such enormously reproductive works.

One could paint many pictures of the future of the Hauraki Plains. Certain it is that in a few years it will he the -show ground of; New Zealand to all visitors". And the enterprise of the Government and its engineers will then receive their due reward.

There is shortly to be a conference between the Thames Valley Drainage Reference Board and the engineers of the Public Works Department. This conference will represent two parties, one of." which must ultimately suc'ceedthe Public Works Department when the Government hands over the completed scheme to the local bodies; The Reference Board, therefore, stands in the light of future trustees of the whole works,, and its attitude to-day should be governed by a willingness to coi-operate in all ways in expediting the scheme, an honest desire to assume legitimate costs or final allocations, and also a recognition ofl the great benefits the Government and its engineers are conferring on our districts-. Finally, there are always many, critics who would demand Rome to be built in twenty-four Hours. But I am sure .that when the reasoned results of the coming conference are published (as we hope they will be) that the most rabid ofcritics may be satisfied. The most urgent need of the scheme and its engineers to-day is labour and costs-isaving machinery. Given the finance for their requirements, I feel sure the Public Works Department will be more than vindicated m the very near future. W. D. KEYS.