KOPUTAROA LANDS.

Shannon News, 2 June 1925, Page 3

KOPUTAROA LANDS.

MOVEMENT TO JOIN BUCKLEY DRAINAGE BOARD.

FAVOURED BY LAND OIWNEtRS.

A meeting of property owners in the Koputaroa sub-division of the River Board area was held in the Hall at Koputaroa on Friday afternoon for the purpose of discussing the question of either forming a drainage hoard at Koputaroa or cooperating with the Buckley Drainage Board with a view to continuing a banking scheme in that district and dealing with the drainage of the lowlying country. There were about 25 settlers present, including (several members of the Buckley . Drainage Board, also Messrs F. H. Hudson, County Clerk, and W. N. Anderson, Engineer. In opening the meeting, Mr S. A. Broadbelt, who was voted to the chair, said that it was being held as a result of a deputation that recently waited on the Horowhenua County Council in reference to the floodgate and Koputaroa stream, and they had met to see if it was possible to form a draihage area extending from Mr Bryant’,s property at Buckley to Wirokino, either separately or to function with the Buckley Drainage Board. He expressed the opinion that it would be a fine thing for the district. There was a, lot of work to be maintained and a large area to be banked to get the desired effect and it was only fair that those who would benefit should, help.. He pointed out that they would be rated on classification.

A discussion followed on the system of classification to be followed, during which objection was malde by some settlers tq what they considered unfair classification by the Manawatu-Oroua River Board in their being heavily rated on the high land. The chairman pointed out that they would be classified by the Trustees who would be appointed from among themselves and il an owner was not satisfied he could lodge an objection. Mr McGill, senr; If we don’t take the opportunity now of forming a Board we will lose the chance of securing the dredges from the Makerua Drainage Board, thereby having to dq the work by labour which will not be so efficient and will cost ten times as much. Continuing, lie said, they had to form a Board and rate themselves and when the work .was done they would have some of the finest arable land on the coast.

Mr McDonald, who is a member of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, detailed what the Board had done in respect to forming the Koputaroa River Board area. He said they had not been able to do> as much as they would have liked and he favoured a Board as suggested being formed. His Board was. meeting that evening and probably it would be disbanded and the rates therefore would cease.

Speaking re the classification Mr McGill said he did no,t agree that all high land should be absolutely free, as there were cases- where the work would benefit'such land. The chairman said a special rating area would have tq be laid out.

Mr Hudson, secretary of the Horowhenuia County ' Council, said' that drainage was a big problem. Viewed from the County Council’s side they had certain powers of enforcing the cleaning of drains, but these could not be successfully exercised in a district like the low-lying country around Koputaroa. He said he had gone into the question and the best solution wajs for them to form a Board to carry out the work. He made reference to the Horowhenua Lake area whefb the Minister of Internal Affairs, had decided, that a drainage board was . necessary and a larger area had been allowed to be brought in to make the Board workable. In Koputaroa a separate district was necessary’ and the Undersecretary suggested that the area be added to the existing Board. He then read the petition which it was proposed tq submit to property owners in the area for their signature, stating it had to. be signed by a majority of ratepayers in the area to have effect. He said a Commission would have to be set up to deal with objections, as if there was only one it would have tq be heard. Some of those present expressed concern at the cost of a Commission, but the speaker said it could hardly be avoided. Mr McGill, junr., asked if the Board would have to take control of the Council’s drains and would the Board collect a rate from the GounciL

The chairman said it would he optional for the Board tq take control of the drains. The formation of the Board did not concern the Gouncil, but they were out to help. If the Gouncil were under any obligations they would fulfil them and they would do what was fair, just and right. The Council would only spend money if it was their duty but they could not be forced.

Some of those present seemed to doubt whether the Council would do the fair thing when the Board was formed as regards cost of cleaning Ajratamgata drain, even though the chairman assured them several times that the Council would be fair, which led him to say that it was not fair for them to hold up the drainage on account of the Council. The matter had never heen before the Council for discussion and they were not wanting to hand the work to the Board. In reply to a question Mr Taylor, chairman of the Buckley Drainage Boaird, said the Bfoard as trustees were in favour of co-operating. He asked what the representation would be and he was informed not more than seven and not less than five members. He also asked whether a drainage board had power to carry out banking. The opinion was expressed that a board had this power and the Makerua Drainage Board was given as an instance.

Mr K. McDonald said the (banks were there now and they only wanted maintaining. If they had a bank from Shannon to Wirokino, the same as at 'Makerua, the land alongside would be worth £65 per acre. At present the bank was unsafe as it' was not under control. The rates

would be a quarter of what they were at Maker ua. After some further discussion as to: what form the resolution should take the following motion by Mr Law was carried;—“That this meeting of ratepayers in the Koputaroa subdivision of the River Board area, favour a petition to join the Buckley Drainage Board for the purpose of continuing tire flood hank and drainage of the said district.” The following proviso was also added: “Your petitioners, have signed the petition with the proviso that be-

fore tfhe district is constituted, a Commission be appointed to assess the contribution which the Horowhenua County Council should make to,wards the maintenance or otherwise ( of the Aratangata drain and the flood i gate on the Koputaroa stream, or that ( a satisfactory i arrangement be made I with the Hor&whenua County Goun-; cil in respect thereto.” j The following committee )of five were set up to deal with the petition | and confer with the Buckley Drain- j age Board:—Messrs K. McDonald, McGill, junr., Pearse, Law and Eg- ( gleton. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. ;