NETHERTON DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5130, 25 May 1927, Page 3

NETHERTON DRAINAGE.

L DISTRICT TO BE FORMED. MEETING OF SETTLERS. A large and representative meeting of Netherton settlers, convened by the Ratepayers’ Association, was held in the hall on Saturday evening to discuss the proposal to form a drainage board. Mr T. Vowles presided, and to open the discussion read the following letter from the Minister of t Public Works (Hon. K. S- Williams): “With reference to the recent visit of myself and the Hon. Minister of Lands to the Netherton district, on which occasion the matter of the completion of. Drain H and of the drainage system south of Pukahu i Road was under discussion, I have to 7 ~ advise you that the estimated cost of the necessary maintenance work to Drain H is £l4BO, and the cost of the necessary improvements to existing drains between Pukahu Road and the flaxmill outlet, and of providing IT an additional outlet into the Waihou River, is £1990, or a total of £3470. Of this sum I have already authorised the expenditure of £7OO in connection with the maintenance of Drain H. I am prepared to authorise the completion of the rest of the works noted above provided the settlers concerned will give an undertaking in writing to form themselves into a drainage board or amalgamate with an existing drainage board with the view of their adequately carrying out the future maintenance of these drains. It is understood that the setRfcc.- tiers generally are agreeable to take this step, but it is necessary to have the matter quite definite and in writing before further expenditure is authorised. “As these works are urgent from tlic settlers’ viewpoint, I suggest the advisability of a meeting being convened at once with a view to putting the matter In order.” Mr T. Vowles spoke at length on > the good work done by the member for the district, Mr A. M. Samuel, in F connection with drainage matters, and mentioned that he had written thanking him on behalf of the _settiers. The action of the president was unanimously approved. It was also decided that the meeting accord a vote of thanks to Mr E- _ L. Walton, county chairman 1 , for the work he had done for the good of the district during the visit of the Ministers of Lands and Public Works. Mr Considine, expressing the views of the Crown land settlers, said that Ji is neighbours desired to form a drainage district of its own, independent of the other parts o f the district.

The chairman said that some of the Crown land drained into the H drain, and should be included in the board to be formed to deal wtih the wider area.

Mr Wakeham expressed the opinion that the Minister was only discussing thejand served by the H drain. There had not been any hint that the Crown settlers desired to hand over the control of the Crown land. He stated that the drainage, scheme for that land was not yet completed, and until it was completed the settlers did not desire to take over the control.

Mr Vowles considered that one board should be formed to embrace the whole district. The little differences could be overcame by subdividing the area Into wards. Mr E. Jami.eson said that the Pukahu Road settlers were prepared to fall in with the rest of the district with a view to forming a drainage district. Mr H. Hill .said that the Crown land settlers were prepared to come into the drainage board on the condition that the ward system was adopted. Mr J. E. Green, late clerk of theHauraki Drainage Board; expressed the opinion that it was not possible to define wards before tire board was constituted. The Drainage Act stipulated the procedure to be adopted, and so far as he knew there was no provision for defining the wards before the constitution. Settlers expressed the opinion that the petition asking for the constitution of the drainage district could include the- proviso that the area be divided into certain wards. If this was not legal according to the Drainage Act it would be a -moral obligation on the board when appointed. Mr J. A. Reid explained that any drain affected a wider area than that directly concerned. The whole district was therefore effected, and should be constituted one drainage district.

This was endorsed by Mr. T. Considine, who suggested overcoming the difficulties by means of subdivision and classification. Mr Green suggested that an opinion be obtained from the meeting as to the desirability of forming a drainage board. The meeting could then decide what wards should be constituted and circulate a petition asking for the formation of the board on the conditions adopted. Mr F. T. V. Johnson said that when the main outlets were improved all the district would have efficient drainage. The only difference would then be the cost of .maintenance of the various outlets,- and this would not vary much. This view was supported by Mi- M. A. Carter, a member of the Elstow Drainage Board, who pointed out that drains were made of a size according to the size of the area to be drained. It was probable that the cost per acre would be practically the same for the maintenance of all outlets. Many subsidiary drains would probably be found necessary, and for this a loan might be necessary. Subsidies would undoubtedly be obtained. Mr F. T. V. Johnson recalled that at the conference with the Lands and Public Works departmental officers at Paeroa the settlers had given an undertaking that if the State improved the exising drains they would take over the maintenance. This undertaking was given by both groups of settlers. Mr Halligan moved, to tect the reeling of the meeting, that a drainage

district, comprising four wards, be formed.

Mr C. E. Hayward seconded. Mr R. I. Roberts pointed out that the subdividing into wards was a complex matter which required close consideration before a decision was arrived at. After some explanations on rating, classifications, etc., Mr Harms mentioned that the settlers of his district did not desire inclusion in the- proposed drainage district. Mr G. Death also said that the Waimarie Bend settlers would derive no benefit from the formation of a drainage board, and therefore would oppose inclusion in the area. Mr Roberts pointed out that it would be undesirable for any group of settlers to be excluded from the drainage district. If at present these areas had no drainage they would not be rated.

Mr Roberts moved as an amendment that a drainage board be formed under the ward system. He was of the opinion that it was undesirable to definitely fix the number of wards at the present time. Mr P. Harold seconded.

The original motion was altered to read that a drainage district be constituted with three or more wards. Mr Wakeham suggested that a clause be added to the effect that the hoard would only be formed when thework promised by the Government was completed.

Mr Hill and Mr M. A. Carter urged that a properly constituted board have much greater power to deal with the- Government than would groups of settlers.

The motion was then put and carried, Messrs Harms, Goble, and Death voting against. Mr M. A. Carter said that there was no reason for any settlers desiring exclusion from the drainage district, as there were- ample provisions for exclusion from rating, etc. Mr T. Vowles suggested that Mr E. Walton, solicitor, be approached to take the necessary steps to form the board.

Mr H. Mills pointed out that Mr J. E. Green, a local settler, had thenecessary experience.

On the intoion of Mr Mills it was decided that steps be taken immediately to form the board. At the request of the chairman MiGreen outlined the steps to be taken. He promised to undertake the necessary work of preparing the petition. It would be necessary for the settiers to define the area. He would suggest that Mr Walton be approached as to the legal position of defining the wards prior to the constitution of the district.

Arising out of Mr Green’s explanation Mr -Mills urged that the whole area between the Hauraki United and the Elstow drainage districts be the proposed area. However, it was decided that a committee be appointed to deal with the matter in conjunction witli Mr J. E. Green after a great deal of argument as to the number of representatives, and Messrs H. Hill, Wakeham, A. R. Vowles, C. Pottter, C. Stembridge, E. Jamieson, T, Considine, and F. T. V. Johnson were appointed.