HOKIO STREAM CONTROL.

Shannon News, 20 October 1925, Page 2

HOKIO STREAM CONTROL.

another commission suggested. The difficulty in regard to the liokio Damage B-uard functioning—-owing to it not having control of the H-oluo stream draining out of Lake llorowheiiua—was recently the subject of a conference between representatives of tile native owners interested, the Horowheiiua County Council and the Drain age. Board. Reporting to the Council on Saturday, Cr. Broadbelt said he and Cr. Catley interviewed the natives and representatives of the Drainage Board. They finally agreed that it was advisable to ask for a commission to advise what should be done. The natives were very adverse to their fishing rights being interfered witi). They were willing to have the stream cleaned provided they were allowed to do the work themselves. They did not approve of certain work said to have been done by a Council employee. The natives were willing to meet the land owners fairly provided tlieir rights were preserved. Cr. Harkness urged that the Council should proceed cautiously as there was a certain amount of bitterness amongst the natives, it being considered that they had been ignored in the past to a certain extent. The natives’ titles extended to the middle of the stream which made it, more difficult. It would be Tar belter to work with'the natives than against them. Cr. Broadbelt said there was nothing hostile whatever about the natives present at the meeting. The Council would be well, advised to take the natives into their confidence. There was no wish to deal harshly with them or to prejudice them in any wav.

Cr.Catley endorsed Cr. Broadbelt’s statements and the desirability of preserving the .Maori rights. One settler told him he had 35 acres under water and another had 300 acres submerfged. Surely something should be done to free this land. The chairman said the lowering of the Lake was very ancient history. He remembered going to a Minister many years ago on the same matter and all he got was a statement that they got very good flounders down there. However a drainage board had now been formed with power to strike a rate. Apparently what was required was a commission to report as to what extent the Lake should be lowered. If the natives were willing, however, why could riot the work be gone on with. The next move seemed to be with the . Drainage Board. The Council would be quite willing to co-operate with the Board in anv steps they might, wish to take towards getting* the Commission to decide how much the Lake and outlet, should be lowered. Cr. Broadbelt re-iterated that he for one did not want to damage the natives’ rights in any way. Hie had already made the statement 20 or 30 times.

■The clerk said that after the conference ho had written to/ the Minister for Internal Affairs and asked for a Commission and had specially asked that, the natives he given an ample opportunity to place their side of the question before the Commission. The Minister had replied that consideration was being given to the application and the clerk had no doubt that in the near future the Commission would be set up.. It was agreed that, all assistance be given to obtain the Commission.