Last Night’s Meeting.

Manawatu Herald, 28 March 1903, Page 2

Last Night’s Meeting.

The meeting convened by Dr Chappell and others re the overflow channel was held last night at the Commercial room of Whyte’s Hotel. The Mayor of Foxton was in the There was a large, and interested gathering, amongst whom we noticedMessrs O. Gardner, Henacssy, O. Austin, Carter (a), Tolhurst, Kiikcaldie (a), j. Davies, J. R. Stansell, H. Austin, F. Easton, J. Stevens, W. G. Robinson, B. Gower, G. Gower, T. Nye, J. Robinson, G. Nye, James Robinson, A. S. Easton, C. Robinson, Hunt, F. E. Jenks, Barber, Alf Fraser, D. Purcell, G. Hughes, A. Jonson, James Symons, G. Stiles, E. Osborne, A. Symons, A. Edwarfls,-T. Westwood, C. Symons, and many others. Mr Breaknell, engineer of the Makerua Swamp, was present. The Mayor read the advertisement calling the meeting, and said he was pleased to see such a large meeting. Mr John Davies said the committee had no scheme to place before this meeting, but to consider what means could be adopted to get rid of the flood water. He thought they should first take steps to formulate the matter, so as to consider the cost and the formation of a Board. The Mayor said the meeting was called for a special object, and what had been said by Mr Davies- was different to that advertised, and he wanted to know what the meeting thought on the matter. 5 Mr Stevens said the object of the meeting was to ascertain the very best manner to deal with the overflow channel. There was at present ho body to deal with the question such as a Drainage or River Board, and_it was best to have the whole ! of the-country affected by floods between the Gorgeand FeUding and the watershed-in-cluded within the' area to be rated to cover cost of carrying out any such scheme. He thought that the River Board to be constituted., should bavff a valuation made, and that ft be'certain what benefit would be given by such a work. The rate- wopld graduated according to the improvement given—-asto where the overflow channel should be made it'was a question for engineers to decide. 0 Though the Motoa and'Makcrua Swamps would be benefitted tbere were many smaller properties which would * bei. assisted. Secondly, to ascertain the cost and maintenance of these works for all time. This question was one- of very great magnitude, and deserving most serious consideration. He thought tie Government would be willing to reader some kind of assistance, as from some remarks made by the Premier he believed he was in strong sympathy with the undertaking. The increase of the value of the property must affect everyone, but he would not say how raupiu He thought the meeting should not consider how the overflow should be made; He jhpught this meeting shou’jj! advisable to form not, and he would meeting deems it desirable that a River Board be formed within the district of Maoawatu and Oroua, including generally all the lands affected by the flooding of these rivers from Feilding and the Gorge to the mouth ot the Manawatu River.” He considered that if the whole thing appeared practical he would ad-

vise that money should be boi rowed for a sufficiently long time He would recommend money bein obtained for gg years, thus reducin the amount of the yearly sinking fuuc If the overflow channel was made i should be in such a position where i would not bo backed up by wind o tide, and if this could be done h thought it would be best and of .grea advantage. He, and his partners, a contributors to the- scheme, had no the slightest intention to do anythin] which was not practicable. Withou a constituted body it was impossible ti do anything. Mr Kirkcaldie had much pleasure u seconding Mr Stevens' resolution. H( would prefer that the board be caller a drainage board, as such a boan would be possessed of greater power (Mr Stevens accepted alteration). H< spoke as representative oi the Makerui swamp company. He regretted th< wording of the advertisement of th< , meeting had been couched in. 11 was nc attempt to decide a route. In ordei to obtain the formation of a board ii was necessary to get two-thirds of the ratepayers signatures to a petition 51 We have to face a task of some magui tuda, bat it was possible to succeed Ifthe board was attained there would have to be an election for 3 and nel more than 9 members. It would then be# necessary after getting the besl engineering advice to place the same before the ratepayers, and it they desired to borrow for the work the poll would then be put the public, No one would be committed to any scheme by putting their names to' the petition asking for a board. The contribution that ratepayers would be • called on for is arranged by statute, as the. Registrar would take the valuation of the Government, and he would see the amount that could be obtained, under the security offered, by loan, and he was then to divide the area into three classes of valuation! Mr Stevens has said that he is not here to suggest any route, nor was he. Mr Speirs asked if any one had prepared piaas of an overflow ? Mr Kirkcaldie said he knew Mt Breakell had prepared plans but the Makerua Co, had not, and they do not suggest such a scheme should be carried but were perfectly willing to fall in with any scheme that might ba proposed tor a drainage board. Mr Stanseli said the Minister had stated to a deputation that he reckoned this Work was a colonial one, and he believed Cabinet would introduce legislation to extend tbe term of a loan for such a purpose. Mr Gardner said he came to the meeting under an impression that a scheme was formed. Is it the opinion of this meeting that any benefit could be secured by easing the flood water of the Manawatu? The meeting appears to think so, and a large number of settlors were also sure that it could be! the Makerua swamp was taken up by a private energetic syndicate, and they had undertaken the duty to do its utmost to improve this swamp, and he was glad to see the Motoa swamp proprietors were acting the same way. ~ . , .. Mr Tolhurst said that after the big flood some settlers waited on the on the Minister and the Government promised to have a report made, which had been furnished, but they also promised to make a complete survey, of which nothing was known. Mr Speirs thought the committee had come to the wrong place to advocate this scheme. So far as the borough is concerned he felt they would all be injuriously affected. Mr G. Nye agreed with the resolution and considered it a reasonable one. The scheme of this magnitude must be left in the hands of a competent engineer. , , ~ The Mayor was pleased to see the motion diffierent to the advertisement and he thought it was competent for the meeting to consider it. Mr Speirs moved as an amendment “ that the motion before this meeting is contray to the -interest of Foxton and that this meeting take no action in the question. He could not see how the scheme was going to benefit Foxton in anyway and it would be best to keep out of the scheme." , . Mr Davies believed that the engineers would conserve the riparian interests of the owneis. Mr Stanseli said he had always stood out for the preservations of the rights •f Foxton as a port. . Mr lonson said the Marine Department has only charge of the river to amendment being put it was OB the resolution being put it was C *Mr Stevens pointed out that the committee was not properly appointed having been set «p at a private meeting. He thought the commute should tie appointed to night. / ■ Mr Davies proposed the provisional committee be a committee. . , Mr Kirkcaldie suggested that the committee should get the names of the oersons who might be liable. P Mr Stevens suggested that the names of Messrs Tolhurst, Gardner, B. Gower, Speirs and W. Barber, be Added to the other names submitted. It was then moved by Mr Stevens, seconded by Mr Kirkcaldie ‘That the committee consists of Messrs G. Gower, C. F. Garter, J v Davies J. Wallace, J. R- Stanseli, W. Akers, J. M O’Connor, Drs Newman and Chappie, Tolhurst, Gardner, B. Gower, a Srs W. Barber and the mover with power to add their cumber five to be a quorum." Carped. . •Vc Gardner proposed that the committee call meetings in various parts of the district, and obtain signatures to the petition to the Governor to form a df Mr h! Austin seconded the motion, which was carried. , , A vote of thanke to the chair ended the meeting- " COMMITTEE. Mr O. Gardner was elected chair--111 It * was arranged totteot at Foxton Friday after Easter at me tamo time and ptace.