MANAWATU OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3881, 8 December 1928, Page 2

MANAWATU OROUA RIVER BOARD.

A meeting of the Manawatu Oroua* River Board was held in Palmerston North on Thursday, when Trustee W. S. Carter presided. There were also present Trustees H. Akers, A. Buchanan, E. C. Harrison, B. G. Gower, and W. E. Barber. Apologies for absence were received from Trustees R. Law, R. T. Tanner and A. Seifert.

Considerable discussion took place in connection with the Board’s modified scheme of river protection. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, when Minister of Lands, had viewed the site and had been favourably disposed towards it, though he considered, that (there were several other parts of the North Island in the same position. No definite answer had been given.

Trustees generally were in doubt as to what the position would now be with the present position of the political parties.

The chairman was certain that 95 per cent, of * the settlers would be behind the proposed modified scheme. ■Trustee Harrison, who had' attended a. meeting of settlers, stated that the settlers were waiting for the Board to do something.

The chairman pointed out that under the scheme there would be only the one rating in the Sluggish River area.

Trustees Buchanan suggested a conference of all.local bodies to go int-o the question and get unity of action in this vital matter.

A suggestion was made by Mr. Baldwin that the Board go ahead to get united action and form a deputation to approach whatever Government was in power re the subsidy. Trustee Buchanan stated that the settlers and other local bodies were, thoroughly dissatisfied with the present, position and inactivity of the Board. Something like united action was needed urgently. The general opinion was expressed that the work was one for the River Board and that united action was necessary.

The chairman expressed his pleasure at the unanimity of the Board, which had had an uphill fight since its inception through people misunderstanding . its objects. 'The recent flood had brought home to all the necessity of river protection. Their engineer had outlined a workable scheme. During the flood it had been seen that only 40 per cent, of the water was going down the stream, and 60 per cent, over the land. All the settlers he had seen were in favour of the scheme and the Government should subsidiso such an important work. He moved that a meeting of the local bodies be called and that a strong deputation from them should then wait upon the Government in order that the work should be proceeded with as soon as possible.

It was decided to circularise the local bodies interested in river protection giving complete details of the Board’s modified scheme. A conference of delegates from the following local bodies will then be held: Moutoa, Makerna, Manawatu, Sluggish River, Oroua and Biickley Drainage Boards, Palmerston North River Board, Kairanga County Council, . Horowhebua County Council, Shannon, Foxton, Levin and Palmerston North borough councils, ad the Foxton Harbour Board.

The date suggested for the conference was January 24, 1929, at 10.30 a.m.