FLOOD DAMAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5177, 12 September 1927, Page 2

FLOOD DAMAGE.

COMPASSIONATE GRANT OF £5OOO.

PERENIKI AND WAIHI ROAD.

For some time past settlers in the Pereniki Bend area., and also those on Waihi Road from a point near the Catholic Church upwards, have, through Mr E. W. Porritt, been making representations, to Parliament for compensation for damage done to properties, allegedly by the silting of the Ohinemuri River, and the operations of the Wathou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement scheme. Tlie areas in question have been inspected at different times by the Prime Minister, Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. S. Williams,). Minister of Lands (Hon. A. D. McLeod), and many Government officials. The member for Ohinemuri (Mr A. M. Samuel), has taken a keetn interest in the matter, and has never lost an opportunity in Parliament to push the claims of the settlers. On Friday last Mr E. A. Porritt received the following letter, through Mr Samuel, from the Minister of Public Works “With reference to your letter of May 6 last, regarding the compensation claims by settlers in the Pereniki Bend areas, and along the Waihi Road at Picina, in connection with flood damages from the, Ohinemuri River I have to point out that it has been clearly established that no liability rests on the Government in respect of such flooding. Tn deference to the recommendation of Parliament that favourable, consideration should be given to the petitioners’ requests,' and recognising that the prime cause of the trouble is. due to silting by mining debris 1 , etc., and largely in the belief that the detrimental possibilities of the Sludge Channel Proclamation in 1895, were not adequately foreseen when any protest was possible, Cabinet hasbdecided to place an amount of £5OOO on the estimates as a compassionate allowance in respect of such flooding, in full satisfaction of all claims and demands in the event of an agreed allocation being arrived at amongst the* various claimants. on whose behalf claims under the Public Works Act, or otherwise, have been lodged with me.

“The allocation refers not only to the claims lodged through the agency of Mr E. W. Porritt. solicitor, Paeroa, but also to claims by Native- owners in the Pereniki area, namely, Haora Tareranui, Rangitumaki. Pereniki, Taumaha Karaka, and J. Taupaki, and to be in respect either of damages through operation of the Sludge Channel Proclamation or any works carried out under the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Improvement Act. 1910'.

“In case of difficulty in arriving at an agreement regarding the allocation of the compassionate allowance specified, the services of the department’s land purchase officer (Mr E, Bold) can be made available to assist the claimants in arriving at an equitable settlement, and it is understood that this officer will be passing through' Paeroa about September 16 and could then discuss arrangements for a meeting with the parties interested if his assistance is desired.” In a covering letter to Mr Porritt Mr Samuel points out that the next move is for the settlers. In his concluding paragraph he states;: “T don’t know how far this amount will go, but I can assure you I have done my best.”

It is understood that a meeting of the settlers entitled to share; in the allowance is: to be called at' an early date, when an endeavour will be made to arrive at an equitable allocation.