PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4541, 19 March 1923, Page 3

PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER

' VISIT TO PAEROA. deputations received. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works'-, and Postmaster-Gen-era], accompanied by Mr A. R. Markham, secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington, Mr JT. Godfrey, assistant Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, and Mr R. Aitken, private secretary to the Minister, visited Paeroa last Thursday. . On the Minister’s return from a tour of inspection of the various drainage areas on Thursday evening " he received further deputations at ths County Chambers. .. The members of the deputation were introduced to the Ministerial party by Mr H. Poland, M.P., and Mr A. \R. Robinson, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council. ROTOKOHU FLOOD AREAS. Mr G,. Buchanan waited on the Minister with reference to an adjustment which, he contended, should be made with regard to the ponding areas to be taken in the Rptokohu flood lands. Mr Buchanan stated that as soon as the stopbanks on the other side of the river on .Moananui’s flat were completed the overflow from the Ohinemuri would be greater than ever on the properties. Over six months ago, said the speaker, he had been told to “trust in God and the Government,” and he was still trusting, but the danger was imminent. He considered the settlers were entitled to some protection from floods, together with compensation. Mr Buchanan stated that the settlers were prepared to assist the department willingly enough if by so doing they would, be assisting themselves. .The Hon. Coates said it was ao economic question as far as the Government was concerned. It was bound by the Act, which provided for the .department to go where it liked without' paying compensation. The work was being done in the interests of the people generally, and it was most, unfortunate if the undertakings were going to present trouble to a few settlers' The Minister said that as far as Mr Buchanan’s land was concerned, the undertaking would be . an expensive and difficult one. However, he was quite in sympathy with him, and was anxious to give satisfaction. The x department appeared to have reached a deadlock at present, but Mr Bold, the department’s land purchase officer, was now working out a scheme whereby it was hoped difficulties would be overcome. Legislation was Ijeing drafted to give power .to treat cases individually on their merits. He hoped this legis- , lation would be introduced at. an early date. Mr McLeod, another delegate, safd that so far as the Pereniki/rea plans for effective drainage ancrprotection was concerned was useless, althougn they had been prepared by the En-gineer-in-Chief to the department. Mr McLeod stated that he, with other settlers in this area, had been "mark-

ing time ” since May last, but no improvements had been effected by the department. He said t that as far as his own farm was concerned, he was in constant' danger of being flooded out, when he stood to lose/ his stock as well as his life. He urge,! the department to grant speedy relief from th? danger, or at least advise the settlers what it intended doing. Mr McLeod said his all was enveloped in his farm, and it was most discouraging to go on farming, without being able to see clearly and safely ahead. Thq Minister remarked that it was impossible for his department to take a settler off his farm and place him on another. He was afraid occupiers of lEftid had placed too high a value on their holdings. Tn reply to the Minister, Mr McLeod said he valued his farm at between £6O and £BO per acre, and yet Mr Furkert had admitted his land was pow almost worthless, as the department intended using it as a ponding area. The Minsiter said he had had hopes of things being satisfactorily fixed up, but the Act had been passed and a deadlock was the result. He said that he considered Mr McLeod’s position was quite good so long as no floods came down. j Mr McLeod contended that there was not a portion of the area adequately protected, and he ashed the .Minister to state when the settlers would know when something definite would be done. The Minister stated that at present he could not say what the outcome would be, but he could definitely promise that he would do his utmost for all.concerned. Mr .Buchanan said that if the Government would put the Pereniki cut through he was prepared to give an indemnity as far as his property was concerned. A Mr Poland said he considered the position should be seriously and immediately considered by the Government. He stated that the Minister had admitted nine months ago that the settlers should be compensated for being “ pushed out ” in the interests of the people. The Government was not justified in doing anything unfair to private people because it was carrying out a work that may, or may not, be a salvation to the district. The settlers concerned should be told something definite and not kept in suspense,. He contended they had spent much money and valuable time in bringing their farms into a state of productivity, and they were justly entitled to treatment commen'surate with their e’fforts. The Minister assured the deputation that he was genuinely anxious te give them. full satisfaction, but the Government wheels ground very slowly. He would help all he could to improve matters . If it was the wish of the people that, for the sake of a few settlers the whole construction works'should be held up, then the Government would do so. He was fully sympathetic wjth the settlers, and was aware of their- difficulties. There had been a difference of opinion among his advisors in the department, combined with the Act, whicn had caused a deadlock. He regretted he was unable to, give more definite

partjEulars. So long as he held the position as head of his department he do his level best for all concerned. -Mr W. Sornsen also corrobated the remarks of Messrs Buchanan and McLeod. DRAIN H, NETHERTON. Mr R. B. Dunlop, representing the settlers on drain H area at Netherton, stated that this drain had practically cut the farms through which it flowed in half, thereby reducing the carrying capacity of the land. He asked the Minister to afford relief to those affected in that area. Citing his own property, Mr Dunlop said that since the drain had been put through he had no access to the back portion of his farm, and he was only able to use half the acreage of his place, which was insufficient lo keep him, and as a consequence he had been compelled tp take up contract work to make a living. He contended the drain was doing a vast amount of good in that area.. All the settlers asked for was relief by providing sufficient bridges over the drain to allow of access to their properties. They were not seeking compensation. In answer to the Minister Mr May, Public Works engineer, said he thought 17 tp 19 bridges would be required to give access to all the farms. The Minister said he had that morning inspected the drain in question and he realised what was necessary. The Act did allow even for the erection of bridges. However, he was quite prepared to recommend that bridges be put in, provided the settlers would be prepared to assist the department with the erection of them. He would instruct the District Engineer to supply him with estimates as to cost. Tn all probability temporary structures would be put up in tine meantime. If sanctioned, the work would be carried out as expeditiously as possible. NGARARAHI STOPBANK. Mr R. I. Roberts waited on the Minister on behalf of the Awaiti settlers, with regard to the Ngararahi stopbank. Mr Roberts said that the settlers were given to understand from their local body (the Hauraki Plains County Council) that their request for the conversion of £6OO subsidy on that road into a straightout grant had been granted by the Minister to the Council when on its recent visit to Wellington. On their county engineer making enquiries at the local Public Works Office he had been told that no advice to that effect, had been received. He urged the Minister to expedite the necessary authorisation to enable the work to be undertaken and completed before this winter. Replying to Mr Roberts the (Minister said the, matter had certainly been dealt with, and the local office would be instructed accordingly at once. KAIMANAWA STREAM.

Messrs I. Robinson and. J. Thomas, representing the land, owners in the vicinity of the Kaimanawa stream, were the next to wait on the Minister. They stated that when the floodgate on the Waimarie bend was completed, provision would have to be made to deal with the local water inside. No relief had been given in this respect so far. In fact, the gaps in the stopbank had not been filled in. The Engineer-in-Chief had assured the settlers last May that their interests would be safeguarded i inside seven months’ time. The winter was approaching again, and yet nothing had been done to secure their properties. The position at present is that there are spme seven open drains through which the water can get in behind the stopbank, but there were no out.-’ lets, consequently the water would necessarily have to flood the lower grounds. They contended their position was worse now, as regards flooding, than it, had ever been. They were anxious to know what the department intended to do, and asked why had the department not continued with this area.

After consultation with Mr May as to, the position on the map of the area, in question, the Minister said he considered the Request a reasonable one. The reason, for the department’s delay in the matter was primarily insufficiency of necessary machinery, still he could riot understand why the area had been overlooked It was certain ly most, important that the work should be completed as early as possible. He would endeavour to arrange, at once for the necessary machinery and labour to complete the job. The deputation would be advised as to the result on his return to Wellington. . ' This concluded the deputations, and Mr Poland briefly thanked the Minister for the patient and courteous hearing accorded the settlers, and for the opportunity allowed them to state their cases. The Hon. Mr Coates thanked Mr Poland for his kind remarks and assured him he would do his utmost to give satisfactory relief when possible. There were no 'inter-club tennis matches on the Plains* on Saturday. Kopuarahi could not send a team to Waitakaruru tp play for the Williams Memorial Shield. Ngatea and Kerepeehi had arranged to play a friendly match at Kerepeehi, but as some of the visitors did not arrive until late teams were picked and a pleasant afternoon was snent.