TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4469, 20 September 1922, Page 1

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

MEETING WITH COUNCILLORS RIVERS IMPROVEMENT. There was only a small attendance of ratepayers in the board room of the Turua Buildings on Friday evening, when representatives of the Hauraki Plains County Council attended at the request of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association. Mr D. G. McMillan (president of the association) occupied the chair. The County Council was represented by Messrs J. C. Miller (chairman), W. G. Hayward, C. W. Parfitt (councillors), E. Walton (clerk), and J. Higgins (engineer).

The chairman asked wlhat steps the Council was taking to ascertain what area ,was to be included in the Waihou and Qhinemuri Rivers Improvement Scheme, and if they were looking after the ratepayers’ interests. He also asked who was to take control of the drains after April 1, 1923. Mr Miller said the Council was not taking the drainage over. The Government idea was that the Hauraki Drainage Board’s area should be extended between the two rivers. He thought the drains would be under a separate board. Mr A. P. Gardiner understood that the commission recommended the Council taking over the wharves on the river, and asked if the Council contemplated taking over the Turua wharf in conjunction with the town board.

Mr Miller said the Council had not considered that. He did not think the wharves would be of much use to the council, but it would take them over.

Mr Gardiner considered that the wharves should be under the County Council. There would be quite a big revenue, which could be applied ‘.o roads. Mr Madgwick did not agree with Mr Gardiner. The custody of their wharf was in very good hands. They should not interfere with the wharf at all. There had been a lot of controversy about the wharf, and they had a statement from the chairman of the town board which no fair-(tnind-ed man could substantiate. Mr Newman: I understand, if the Council floes not take the wharves the Harbour Board will. I think it better for the Council to take them,. Mr Miller said R was only the Piako River wharves it was proposed to take over. The chairman asked if the Council had taken any steps re the Rivers Improvement Scheme. Mr Miller s,aid the Council had taken no steps. It had twp representatives on the Reference Board. He had heard that the area had been defined, but was not disclosed. Mr Hayward said the Council had emphatically protested against the rating as it affected the county. Mr Green said the Council would require to define its position with regard to drainage. Turua wais particularly affected. The cleaning of drains would cost the Town Board £l5O a year. Mr Miller understood that the area of the Hauraki Board would be extended to take in all land between the two rivers. Mr Waltpn: There is no reason for the fears of Mr Green. If a board was constituted that area would be exempt from the rate. Until the board was formed the Government would continue to rate. There would be no crisis on April !.> Mr Henry thought the Council should be fully armed to deal with the Rivers Improvement Scheme and be ready at any moment to take action. The country from Turua to Netherton was not subject to floods. There was land above that subject to floods, and that land shrould bear the burden. Mr Hayward agreed that they should be alive, and if they were not careful they would be rated for more than was right. Mr Madgwick considered the burden -should be carried by the wfhtole of the, county. Mr Henry proposed, a hearty vote of thanks to the heads of the county for attending and answering the questions which they had done to the be st of their ability. Mr Madgwick, seconding, said that though they did not see eye to eye with the councillors they had no cause to fight. The motion was carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks was similarly passed tp the chair.