KAOUITI STREAM.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5262, 13 April 1928, Page 3

KAOUITI STREAM.

A MATTER OF DRAINAGE. SETTLERS GRANTED ASSISTANCE. At the last mating of the. Ohinemuri* County Council a letter Mkas received from the settlers adjoining the Kaouiti stream, Paeu-oa, asking for a contribution towards the cost of cleaning the stream drain for a distance of about 90 chains. The cost was estimated at from 5s to 6s a chain. - Or. W. F. Johnstone stated that the granting of the request was a matter of policy for the council. There were several settlers who would benefit by the cleaning of the drain, and it was >“a big affair.” Although the drain $ did .not benefit a country road, he thought the settlers were, deserving of help. • A movement, was on foot to establish a drainage board, and in the event of that being brought about the ' contribution from the council won not be fielded. Cr. F. C. Hubbard said that in the event of a contribution of £7 10s he ing made he would be anxious to know where • the matter would end- ■ Whilst desiring to help deserving cases, he failed to see just what the. council’s liability would be in view of it not being, a main road drain. Similar views were shared by the chairman (Cr. H. M. Cdrbett), who said that there was a likelihood of thq drain becoming a county drain if a contribution was made. Cr. Johnstone said that the request 'V- should be treated on its merits and: J the small sum of £7 10s voted without hesitation. The chairman said he was inclined to favour'the request in view of the fact that there was every likelihood of a drainage board being established. The council would not be establishing a precedent, as a grant had been made in past years. Cr. Hubbard emphasised the need for considering the future liability of the council. He was of the opinion that" the money could be far better expended on. the roads. .. > Cr. A- R. Robinson said that the cleaning of the dirain would be of general benefit to the locality, and he thought, the council should assist the 1 settlers. Similar positions obtained in the Kaimanawa riding, where the benefit was to the 'advantage of all. Cr. R. R. Morrison had similar views. It was contended by Cr. Hubbard that the rates were collected for the improving of roads, and not for cleaning drains. He; would, oppose the> request unless it could be shown where the council’s liability would end.' It was a wrong policy for the council to contribute piecemeal to • such' requests. His sympathies, were with the settler?, but in view of the chance of a drainage board being, formed he thought the council should hold the matter in abeyance.

j!WC. E. Mason, agreed with Cr, HmSbard.

Cr. C. C. Mace said 'he would agree to the voting of £7 10s phovidted it was the last contribution niade by the council.

Cr. Johnstone contended that individual cases should be treated on their merits, and he felt sure every local body adopted that attitude. If the drain was not cleaned the locality, instead of being a sanctuary for pheasants, would become a' duck pond. Sucih a position would, of course, be intolerable to the settlers. The drain did not affect him, and he. was opposed to the formation of a drainage board ; yet ;at the same time the settlers within the area of the drain were deserving of help. Finally it was resolved to contribute the sum of £7 10s towards the cost of cleaning the drain.