SILTAGE PAYMENTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4849, 6 July 1925, Page 2

SILTAGE PAYMENTS.

WAIHI SEEKS CONFERENCE. VIEWS OF THE COUNCIL. Although repeated representations made by the Waihi Borough Council in connection with the inequitable allocation of the contributions towards the Waihou and Ohineinuri Rivers silting scheme have brought some measure of relief it is recognised that the demands made upon the borough’s revenue froni gold duty towards this woik is still unieasonably high (says the Waihi Daily Telegraph), In the hope of bringing about a more satisfactory adjustment of the charges the council decided to endeavour to arrange for a conference, and the Mayor of Waihi (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) has now despatched a circular letter to the various local bodies and others interested asking for suggestions as to a suitable date and detailing the views of the council on the subject. In this His Worship points out, inter alia, that the matter is one of the utmost, importance to the whole of the Thames Valley district, and that owing to the serious decrease in recent years of revenue to local bodies from gold revenue, and the consequent piling up of interst and sinking fund in connection with the rivers improvement loan, steps' should be taken to have the whole position reviewed and readjusted with as little delay as possible. Mr-Wallnutt suggests that the best course to be pursued would be to urge the Government to bring down legislation dealing with the matter, the scheme to be nationalised and taken over by the Government. He contends that the sooner thus is done the better it will be for all concerned, as with the adoption of such a course the responsibilities and positions of the local bodies and farmers interested will then be definitely defined. *