WAIKATO RIVER WORKS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 25, 28 August 1912, Page 3

WAIKATO RIVER WORKS.

Opposition to Scheme.

The guerilla warfare that has been for =o long carried on between the Waikato River Board and the people of Iluntly and Aka Aka, is to-day culminating in the first serious trial of strength since the by-election which resulted in the return of Mr Wily to the Viu ancy on the Board. The scene of the conflict has been transferred from Mercer to Wellington, where the bill promoted by the Board comes up f«r consideration before the Local Bills Committee of the House. The main clauses of the Bill provide for an improvement in the Board's power of cluosicatiou by providing a fourth class into which unbenefitted lands may be put (and escape rating); a provision by which all lands reclaimed by their work from river or lakes be-i come the property of the Board ; and the power to borrow £50,000 cither privately or under the provisions of the State Guaranteed Advances Act. The amendments the objectors are endeavouring to secure are: The removal from tho River Board's aiea of all lands west of Cameron Town, and the town and environs of Iluntly ; the vesting of the control of the Aka Aka channel (which the Board is partially closing) in the Aka Aka and Otaua Drainage Boards, or the Marine Department; the introduction of the principle of rating on an acreage instead of a valuation basis; making it compulsory on the Board to rate on a classified and not a uniform system; and taking away the power to borrow without the consent of the ratepayers. The Board will, it is understood, be represented by its chairman (Mr Glass), its engineer (Mr Kennedy) and its solicitor (Mr Hall Skelton). For the objectors Mr Hull, Mr Wily and Mr Ashley Hunter (consulting engineer) will appear. Mr Hunter, together with Mr C. Otway, visited Mercer recently, and after a careful inspection of the Board's plans and engiurer's reports proceeded down the river to the scene of the works. They were accompanied by Mr Thompson (Government engineer) who was sent by the Minister for Lands at the request of the objectors to report on the whole vexed question. Messrs Hunter and Otway have, we understand, reported adversely to the possibility of the board's scheme of works (either draining the Whangamarino swamp or improving the navigation of the Waikato) and have emphasised the danger of injury to the Aka Aka and Otaua districts by the interference with the northern channel. Mr Thompson has, of course, reported direct to his department and it is not known yet what his opinion is. It is stated that should the objectors fail in what they consider the most vital of their amendmeuts tho Government will be strongly urged to set up a commission to enquire into the merits and demerits of the whole scheme, and devise plans whereby the lands to be benefitted may pay the cost of their improvements, and that any danger of injury to present reclaimed lands shall be avoided. It is also felt that so important a scheme as the draining and improving of the greatest waterway in the Dominion should be more directly under Government control than at present ____^____ — __

The taste for high-class or classical music* like that for olives, is inherent in some people and acquired by others. Unfortunately the majority of people prefer or are content to remain without the pale. Therefore it is not astonishing that there was not a large audience at the concert in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday night. Miss Clarice England played Chopin and Charminade charmingly. Miss Laura England gave several recitations, the best being "The Ballad of Splendid Silence." The vocalist of the party, Mr Egerton Pegg, who is the possessor of a fine tenor voice, was heard to the best advantage in Blumenthal's "Evening Song." The fourth member of the party. Captain Young, played two selections on the clarionet.