SETTLERS’ DIFFICULTIES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5087, 11 February 1927, Page 4

SETTLERS’ DIFFICULTIES

PATETONGA INVESTIGATION.

CONCESSIONS TO TENANTS.

The report of a committee appointed to investigate questions in connection with a portion of the Hauraki Plains .area has been made available by the Hem. A. D. McLeod (Minister of Lands), who Ihad held it back from publication until he, was able, af-er consultation with his officers, to be able to state definitely how far the Governmen 1 can go in meeting the recommendations. Seme are o'f great importance and have an interesting bearing on land settlement generally. The committee comprised Messrs G. T. Murray (chairmna), F. W. Walters and Alex. G. Sutherland, and the area chiefly concerned in the inquiry was the Patetonga Riding of, about 20,500 acres. In outlining the report, which is of a very detailed nature, the Minister’s decisions are given in association with the committee’s recommendations. FOOD PREVENTION SYSTEM. The committee was instructed to advise as to the efficiency or otherwise of .the- existing reading and drainage facilities, and of their maintenance. They point out that ,a very large amount of work hasi been done since, operations were commenced 19 years ago, the principal work being the widening and straightening cif the Piako River from its mouth ,to Kaihere, 14 miles from Hauraki Gulf. Much improvement has been effected, but it is computed that at least one. and a half million cubic yards will require removal before the present proposals in hand are completed, and as the work develops, it isi more than probable that tire proposals, will become more far-reaching. The committee states that the. ower river from Kaihere landing downwards has not sufficient cross-sectional capacity to take the flood waters as they come down 'from the. upper reaches off the Piako and Waitoa, rivers with the consequence that these flood waters tend to accumulate', and in the event o'f long continued rain there would be a huge lake of 13,000 acres; extending

ten miles southwards from Kaihere landing. “It is contended by Uie Lands Department that this ponding area is essential to the safety of Mhe

I settlements below Kailhere landing, .» but the evidence of the settlers in 'tjhe Patetonga riding was to the effect that this safety had been purchased to some extent at their expense. It is probably an impossible proposition to stpp flooding throughout tlhe 10mile length above Kaihere landing. Stop-banking is considered to be out o'f the question* as the peat lands come right up against river on both banks, and on account of its permeability and danger from fires, it -s not possible to make safe stop-banks in peat country. The only apparent method of effecting any general improvement in the position is by a general improvement of the. waterway from Kaihere downwards. This would certainly be a most expensive undertaking. ‘‘The problem is an economic one. Can the country concerned stand the cost ? If not, is it a 'fair, thing to ask the Dominion as. a whole to shoulder a large proportion of .this cost ?” The committee states that it has gone over the country mile by mile, and it submits the following proposals : That steps be .taken by the Department of Lands and Survey to ensure, a lowering of the level of floods to a height, if practicable, not exceeding 101.00 .at Patetonga landing and the shortening of the periods of flooding. The committee suggests that an expert committee, consisting of one Public Works Department engineer, one drainage branch engineer, and a hydraulic engineer in private practice, be. set up to decide on the nature, extent, and cost of the necessary works, the cost of wriich is roughly estimated at £150,000*. THE MINISTER’S DECISION. For many reasons the Minister is of opinion that the scope, of the department’s present works in this connection is as extensive as the position warrants, and that the additional expenditure suggested by the committee is not at present economically possible. As 'far as can be seen, the proposed deepening of the Piako River by one foot will result in lowering the level of the ponding area with the possibility of making relatively dry a comparatively stmall fringe of land round the ponding area; moreover, the maintenance charges would be increased. It has been decided that the Department of Lands shall go 'fully into tlhe question of extending the walks, collect all data necessary for a fuller report, and then consider the question as to the expediency of giving effect to the suggestion that a committee of engineers be. a'siked to come to a final decision on the matter. ROADING. Suggestions are detailed for road development, the committee recommending that the. settlers find £l3,, 600 out of the total estimated expenditure cf £50,202, and that the Government provide the balance, £36,602, by way o<f subsidies ranging from £2 for £1 up to £4 for £l. An .amount of £6OOO to be made available by the Government this season. DECISION. “The subsidies, proposed are liberal, and apparently cover all the roads in the Patetonga riding. It is very doubtful whether the settlers interested will raise loans for any .amount teyond .what is required for the main road. It has been decided that, subject to the concurrence of the Public Works Department, these settlers be advised that the subsidy recommended in respect of the main road (viz., £4 .for £1) will be made available, when they carry their loan, and that the question of granting the subsidies recommended by the committee in respect of the secondary roads will receive consideration later on. Nothing can be done until thpse settlers raise their proportion of the. proposed expenditure. With respect to the main road, the estimated cost of which is £24;,327, the amount contributable by the Government on a £4 to £1 basis

would be £19,462, and by the settlers £4865. This question o’f subsidies for reading will te taken up by the Public Works, Department.” REMISSION OF RENTALS. The committee has made some Important recommendations in regard to settlers in the area who have been unable to meet their rental obligations. Remissions are recommended in eleven cases, six involving remission of arrears, while in othersi rent is to be remitted 'for a period, ranging from one to three years. These recommendations have been fully approved by tlie Minister, of Lands. CROWN LANDS IN PEAT AREA. With respect to 24 abandoned sections situated to the. east of Maukoro Canal, the committee is of opinion that no, attempt should be made to reiet them as> dairy 'farms or as small holdings for other purposes. It recommends leasing for grazing or flax growing on a deposit of 5s an acre, in arears of, not less than 50'0 acres, for a term of 21 years free o'f rent, subject to renewal for a 'further term o'f 21 yeara at a rent of 5 pel' cent, on their then unimproved value. In the event of option for renewal not being exercised, lessee to be. protected for unexhausted imprcwemnts effected by him. Lessee to pay all local and drainage rates and keep down noxious weeds.

“These proposals seem all right,” statesi the Minister, “provided that the lessees of such lands can produce finance, and that the Crown will not be involved in compensation for improvejnents at tlhe expiry of the eases. An incoming licensee should be required to pay the value of the improvements. At the present time it is very probable, that there would be little demand 'for these lands either for flax or grazing purposes.” “The only course .that can be followed is to advise the Commissioner oif Crown Lands of tlhe committee’s suggestions so that the Land Board can consider them when coming to a decision as to the course which it is expedient to follow with respect to the disposal of these lands. The Commissioner will be advised accordingly.” LANDS WRITTEN DOWN.

In • respect of lands on the Pate-tonga-Maukoro road subject to flooding owing to sinkage, the committee recommends that the prairie value o’f the flooded portions be written down from £6 10s. to £2 an acre, that the values of the remainder continue as at present, and that rente be reduced accordingly. It has been decided to adopt this suggestion, a.fid special legislation will be prepaired for introduction next session.

The committee recommends certain miner improvements to existing drains. ' The official comment is: “These are small matters, and effect will be given to the committee’s recommendations in this, respect.” The committee recommends that the maintenance of Government roads, bridges wharves, drains, outfalls, etc. remain under the control of this, department until the reading programme is completed or until March 31, 1930, whichever is the earlier. As a matter of course the department cannot very well relinquish control until the settlers agree to take it over. STOP-BANK—PIAKO RIVER. With respect to alleged flooding o'f settlers’ holdings an the eastern side of Piako River in 1924, the committee finds that the losses caused by this flooding have been very much, exaggerated, that the department at the time did all that could be reasonably expected from it, that claims for compensation should not be entertained, and that the position so far as the future is concerned is reasonably secure. They are of opinion that stronger action should have been taken by the department against the cantractor by giving him a time limit in which to complete his stop-bank. Decision : This finding is in keeping with the departmental views and reports on the matter. It is admitted that the contractor was treated with great leniency, but he was hard pressed financially at that timej, and the department refrained fr°m taking any action that would have, the result of embarrassing him. WHARVES ON PIAKO RIVER. Taking the view that it will be many years before, the rive'rworks can be completed, and that these wharves will be required in connection with the department’s activities, the committee recommends that the Department of Lands should continue to maintain them and recover t'he cost of, maintenance by addins it to the maintenance rate for drainage. Decision: Section 15 of the Hauraki Plains Act, 1926, gives power whereby any of these wharves, jetties, goodsheds, etc., can be sold to any public body. These wharves, etc., are now under offer to the H,auraki Plains County Council. There, are 15 wharves altogether, only one of which is in the Patetonga riding. As only one-half off, the users °f these wharves are now within our rating area it would not be. equitable to burden settlers with the whole cost of maintenance. The Minister therefore does net agree with the committee's suggestion in this respect, and has decided that negotiations by the department with he local body for the purchase of these wharves be continued.