AWAITI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5114, 13 April 1927, Page 4

AWAITI DRAINAGE.

MATTER BEFORE THE MINISTER.

ELSTOAV BOARD’S DEPUTATION.

Mr A. J. Andrews (chairman), Messrs M. H. AVynyard and M. A. Carter (members), and AV. R. Johnson (engineer) of the Elstow Drainage Board waited upon the Minister of Lands at Paeroa on Monday night for the purpose of explaining some points in connection with the draniage o the Awaiti Block.

Mr AVynyard stated that some years ago an arrangement was made foi the carrying out of works by the Government to deal with the water flowing to the Awaiti basin. At that time the Awaiti basin was waste land, and as a temporary measure it was allowed to be flooded. Now the land was being farmed, and to prevent it being flooded as in the past certain blocks were placed in the temporary drains. These blocks were removed during a bad flood, with the result that very serious damage was done to the farm lands.

The Minister said he understood that there were two distinct factions with marked differences of opinion. Mr AVynyard admitted this, but stated that he wished the Minister to understand the position before hearing the other side. The drains were dug purely as a temporary measure. RATING BASIS. Mr AVynyard asked the Minister to consider special legislation to permit drainage boards to rate on an acreage basis instead of a valuation basis. SUBSIDY ON PUMP LOAN. The Minister was asked to favourably consider the granting of a subsidy on tbe board’s loan for the purpose of installing electrically driven drain-water pumps. The pumps had been ordered from London, and the board hoped to have them in operation in about a month. Mr Carter spoke in reference to the installation of a pumping plant on the Awaiti AVest road. It was intended to instal two watertight compartments, so as to give satisfaction. It might be ’necessary to instal two pumps to cope with the natural watershed. A request was made that the natural watershed should be maintained and the blocks kept in position.

Another point stressed was the dual rating. It had been asked previously if it was possible for a settler to pay two drainage rates. During the Hon. Guthrie’s term of office it was not possible, but recently the position was altered. The speaker suggested that as the canal construction proceeded the maintenance of the subsidiary drains should be handed over to the drainage board on condition that the department ceased levying its rate.

Mr iO. N. Campbell pointed out that it would l>e impracticable to hand over very small areas at frequent intervals. It was not desirable to relinquish control of an area until the drainage was absolutely completed. Mr Carter said that as there was Crown land in the area, the department would have to continue to contribute to the cost of maintenance. The Elstow Board desired to take over the maintenance of the completed work for the purpose of preventing settlers being dually rated. Mr E. Taylor, Lands Drainage Engineer, pointed out that by the Lands Drainage Act, Drainage .Boards were limited to a. l%d rate, and in the opinion of the Lands Department this would prove insufficient to do the work.

Mr Carter argued that if the area was handed over as the canal construction proceeded the board would he able to find the necessary money. The valuation would increase as time went on, and thus the board would ne getting greater revenue. Mr Campbell pointed out that at present the maintenance cost as much as the Lands Department and the Drainage Board collected by means of rates. However, it might be possible to meet the desires of the board’s settlers. The matter was deferred pending an inspection of the area by the Ministers.