MANAWATU RIVER SCHEME

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3640, 19 May 1927, Page 3

MANAWATU RIVER SCHEME

COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S REPORT,

The Chairman of the Horowhenua County Co'uncil (Cr. G. A. Monk) reported to the Council on Saturday that he had attended the conference of local bodies held in Palmerston North to protest against the assessments for the Manawatu liver drainage scheme. There were about 16 delegates present, representing seven local bodies — three counties, three drainage boards, and the Palmerston Borough Council. On the resolution protesting against the findings of the Commission in relation to the contributing local bodies, he voted in favour of the motion, as desired by the Council. With reference to the resolution" passed, "That this conference deems the present time inopportune for the Government to spend any money on the scheme,” the Counties all voted against it, their opinion being that such interference was not the right of those local bodies, and this County had expressed the opinion that this was a national work. A resolution was carried that the conference be a deputation to present its views before the Government on a date to be arranged. He had had to protest against this because they were not unanimous on the preceding resolution and there would be a conflict of opinion if they all formed a deputation to the Government He would like to know if the Council desired to be represented on the deputation to the Minister, and, if so, by whom. He moved the adoption of the report. In reply to a question by Cr. Kilsby, the chairman said that personally he did not think it necessary that this County should be represented on the deputation. Anyway, he did not agree with the second resolution. It was a question between the Government and the River Board—not the County. The chairman’s report was adopted and the chairman was appointed to the deputation. - ,