MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2820, 6 December 1924, Page 2

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the Miami watu-Oroua River Board was held at Palmerston N. on Thursday, when there were present : Messrs B. G. Gower, \V. 8. Carter, If. Akers, X. M. Neilsen, M. E. Anderson. arid If. Wilton. Mr Carter was elected to tlie chair. A letter was received from the Valuation Depart men 1, in regard to the area .added to the Board’s district by Order-in-Council, stating that, in some cases the area took portions only of those appearing in the valuation roll. The schedules of the properties affected had been nmonded, but they could not he tutted upon until deal! wait bv the Valuer. EXGINEER’S REPORT. In reporting on the month’s work, the engineer stated that some time ago he recommended certain procedure to tin* Board, whereby the work of cleaning the banks of the Oroua River could lie directed in a less cumbersome way than had been done hitherto. This procedure was to he examined from the legal point of view, and if the Board’s power were such as to permit this method to be put in operation,, the first sep should be taken this month. It was decided that ratepayers be advised that the banks of the Oroua River must be free of obstructions by April 30th. CO-OP ERA TION 8 UOOESTED.

In reviewing the work of the Board, the engineer stated that the time has come when the progress of the district calls for some extensive Hood control, the smaller protective works which have played a big part in the early development and improvement of the district being not sufficient to give the protection necessary for the district to advance still further. In regard to Hawke’s Bay rivers, l>\ authority of the Board, he bad visited Hawke’s Bay and reported on the economics and other matters in connection with their proposed scheme. The Mauawntu-Oroua Board was faced with very much the same difficulties here. The district within the River Board boundaries could not afford a comprehensive scheme, as the load on farmers was too great, and while they would benefit to a certain degree, the beneficial effects of efficient, flood control works extended over a much wider area, and other interests, which were not now called upon to contribute would share in the prosperity created by the works, as in the case of the Hawke’s Bay district, there was a definite national interest in a comprehensive scheme of river control. In the proposals which the engineer was submitting for the Board, there was matter which might equally apply to the Manawatu-Oroua Board, and it was a question whether joint action of the two Boards might not lie advantageous to both. Mr Hay stated that the Hawke’s Bay Board was of the opinion that i-o-opcration with the ManawaluOroitii Board would strengthen their hands materially. Their idea was to assess interests outside their own district, and-to approach the Government with a view to having appointed a Royal Commission to consider economies and the wider aspects of Hood control schemes. The engineer whs of the opinion that tile Boards would get better treatment if they acted together. The chairman (Mr \Y. 8. Carter) stated that the Board was in such a. position that it must get a wider scope of taxation.

After further discussion, it was decided, that the Board approve of (he suggestion that the two Bpards confer on matters of common interest.

It was decided to permit, the engineer (Mr Hay) to enter private practice, the time so employed to be deducted from his salary by the Board.