TWENTY YEARS AGO

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3288, 14 July 1943, Page 8

TWENTY YEARS AGO

OPENING OF KEREPEEHI LAND FOR SETTLEMENT WORK ON THE MAUKORO CANAL (From the Hauraki Plains Gazette of July 14, 1923.) In replying to an enquiry by Mr H. Poland, M.P., as to the probable date of opening lands in the vicinity of Kerepeehi, the Minister of Lands states that there is an area of 2200 acres, comprising 44 sections, of rich alluvial land which is in course of preparation. Protection works and the metalling of the roads are under construction. He adds that it is deemed inadvisable to open this land for selection until twelve months’ time, as the reduction of ■ flood level of the river has to be carried out and works in this connection are being pushed ahead. ■ These new sections should considerably enhance the importance of Kerepeehi township. Councillor C. W. Harris, representing the Hauraki Plains County Council, and with Messrs J. F. Mayn and T. McLoughlin, of Patetonga, will leave Thames on Monday for Wellington where they will confer with the Minister of Lands in regard to drainage matters concerning parts of the Plains. They will urge the early completion of the Maukoro canal, which, at the present rate of progress, will take forty years to complete. In the meantime, areas around Patetonga are being . constantly flooded, settlers are being driven off their sections, farm lands are deteriorating, the opening up of big areas of land is being delayed and country roads are Cr. Harris -will also deal with several other matters affecting the county.