DRAINAGE COMMISSION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5021, 1 September 1926, Page 2

DRAINAGE COMMISSION.

amalgamation of boards.

FIRST DAY’S BUSINESS

The Commission appointed under section 15 of the. Lands Drainage Act at the request of the Horahia Drainage Board to inquire into a,nd report on whether the Horahia and Hauraki drainage districts should be formed into one united drainage district, and generally to inquire into! such other matters relating thereto as may come under. its footice in the course of its inquiries and which it considered should be investigated, commenced its sitting at Turua yesterday morning. Mr L. B. Campbell, of the Public Works Department, was the Commissioner. Mr E. L. Walton-, of Ngatea, appeared for the Horahia Board, ahd Mr C. J. Garland, of Thames, opposed the amalgamation on behajf of the Hauraki Board.

Mr Walton suggested that each side should put in formal evidence explain?ng the existing drainage system ih it's district. The next step should be an inspection of the two- districts, so that the Commission would become familiar with the subject matter of the inquiry from a physical .aspect. The Horahia (Board, having asked for the Commission, was in the position of a plaintiff, and it accepted the onus of proving the desirability of, amalgamation. Therefore it had the right to begin. After the Horahia Board had stated its case the Hauraki Board should do likewise. Finally, the. Hotahia Board should have the right to reply. Counsel on each side should have the right to address the Commission On opening and also on closing his case.

Mr Campbell agreed to this rpocedure.

Plans of the areas administered by the two boards showing the drains in operation, those under construction, a,nd those proposed to be constructed were, put in by the clerks of the two boards' and certified to be correct. The Commission then proceeded to inspect the area. Messrs Campbell, Gray, Garland, Willy, and Walton were in the. official party, which was accompanied by most of the members of the two boards. The inspection lasted all day, thus no evidence could be heard.

The sitting' is being continued in the Tunua Buildings to-day, and it is expected to conclude on Tnursday. The Commissioner will deliver his report to the Governor-General by September 14.