THE RIVERS COMMISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 403, 27 June 1908, Page 3

THE RIVERS COMMISSION.

A meeting of the delegates appointed by the interested local bodies was held in the Municipal Chambers, Palmerston North, on Thursday afternoon, to consider the, local bodies’ replies to the Minister for Lands’ letter of June ist, in reference to the setting up of the Commission. There were present: Messrs J. A. Nash, Kendall, Armstrong, Venn, and Fitzherbert.

The following was the Minister’s letter:—

Referring to the deputation which waited on me at Palmerston North in regard to the Land Drainage Commission, I have the honour to inform you that I have carefully considered this application. I think it is better simply to intimate to the Local Bodies that the Government is going to set up a Commission without any limitation upon its powers, and those who desire anything in the nature of a limitation must appear before the Commission itself and state their case.

Mr Armstrong intimated that there had been only two dissentient replies, Pohaugina County Council and Foxton Borough Council.

Mr Venn (Horowhenua) said his Council was willing to agree to the proposal of the Minister in regard to setting up the Royal Commission, provided the following resolution from his Council were placed on the minute book : “ That unless it is shown by expert evidence that the conveyance of the flood waters of the Manawatu and tributary rivers to the ocean by a shorter and more direct channel than that at present existing along the lower reaches of the said river, is impracticable or inadvisable, this Conference is in favour of such work being amongst the first undertaken by the proposed river board, or failing the carrying out of such works from any cause whatever, this Conference realises the justice of all lands within the Horowhenua County being exempt from rating by the said Board or Boards.” Mr Venn said he thought that if the resolution were placed on the minute book Foxton would withdraw their objection. The resolution was put and carried.

It was then decided that as the majority of the local bodies accepted the Minister’s terms, Mr Armstrong write informing the Minister of Eands that his terms had been agreed to.