DRAINING THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4711, 13 June 1924, Page 2

DRAINING THE PLAINS.

SETTLERS STIRBED INTO ACTION. MOVE BY COUNTY COUNCIL. The experience gained on thte Hauraki Plains during the last few weeks in the matter of drainage works has been very worrying to the settlers, and at the County Council meeting on Tuesday last the councillors gave vent to their feelings. Ca Hayward said that the Piako Ri-er was the outlet for the wholfe of the Hauraki Plains, but no provision had been made to enable it to cope witii the water. He would like the council to approach the department and press to have the Rawerawe canal constructed and to have such other work put in hand to improve the river; also to have the whole of the stop-banks on the riverbank put in order. Cr McLoughlin supported the suggestion. stating that it was the key to the whole problem. The department was using all its energies to open the land in the upper area and was piling the water on to the whole o£ the productive area lower down. Cr. Hare also supported, contending that tWe department submitted glowin- reports to Parliament and the members did not know the true position. Cr Mayn suggested that an em phatic protest should be entered with regard to the department's activities in the Waitoa district without making due provision in the lower reaches of the Piako River. He stated that tie department was also granting subsidies to drainage boards in the Wattoa district. Finally it was decided to set up vt committee, comprising the chairman and Crs. Hayward McLoughlin, and Hare, for the purpose of approaching the'Lands Department with the request that the Rawerawe cut and one through the Umutawa Block be madfe; that tlie bend be taken off the river near Pipiroa ; that the stop-banks from the mouth of the Piako River right up to Kerepeehi Me laised and strengthened ; and that an emphatic protest be made against the department opening drains in the Waitoa district until compensating outlets have been provided for .such water. A suggestion was made by Cr. Parfitt that the settlers of the Plains should get authority to set up a drainage protection board, which would be required to overlook the whole of the drainage scheme, and employ Independent engineers if necessary. Cr. McLoughlin said it would take years to have such a body set up, and in the meantime, if present conditions were allowed to continue, the. whole of the country would be ruined. The production ol the Plains was steadily going back, and nothing but ruin stared the farmers in the face. Cr. Hare moved that the same committee approach the Public Works Department and point out the urgent need of having the permanent/stopbanks and protective works on the Waihou River completed. Seconded by Cr. McLoughlin and carried.

It was explained that the committee would meet shortly and decide upon a course of action. It would probably go to Wellington and interview the Minister for Lands.