RIVER COMMISSION'S FINDING.

Shannon News, 18 January 1927, Page 3

RIVER COMMISSION'S FINDING.

COUNTY COUNCIL REFERS TO IT. TIME NOT RIPE FOR PROTEST. The decision of the Royal Commissiin imposing new liabilities on a number of local bodies to provide a diversion scheme for the lower reaches of the Manawatu river, so as to avoid flooding and provide a satisfactory drainage system, was only briefly dis- ! cussed on Saturday by the Horowhenua County Council, whose share of the computation of betterments is set. down at £5844. " The opinion was expressed by the chairman (Cr. Monk), and reflected in the meeting, that the time was premature for any protest. Accordingly no action was taken. The subject was introduced by Cr. Kilsby, who said he was informed that a meeting of the Ratepayers' Association was to be held at Palmerston next Friday, when a protest would be made against the River Commission's decision. The objeetors wanted to send a deputation to Wellington, and were anxious that this Council should send a deputation to protest against the findings. Councillors would all receive notiees in this connection in a day or two, and he thought the meeting should be attended. The Chairman: I don't want to tell these people what to do; but the method of protesting is a bit premature. Nothing can be done in the meantime, and their correct, course would be to take their steps when the matter is before Parliament.- I do lfbt feel personally that I have any great objection to the report. If it is ever carried into effect I don't know that it is going to do us any great injury, as far as this Council is concerned. But the point is, who are you going to protest to? Two or tliree bodies have met, and they don't seem to know whom to protest to. Cr. McLeavey: To the Minister. The. Chairman: What Minister? Cr. McLeavey: The Public Works Minister.

The Chairman: It has got nothing to do with him. I don't see that anybody can protest until they start to act on the repeat. W T e gave our evidence and the Commission viewed it from every aspect and brought down a certain report. They had a better chance to view the matter Avithout any bias than any person tendering evidence for or against. Now, until they attempt legislation you cannot do anything. You cannot prevent the Board having a Bill brought, 'before the House; but your opportunity comes then to prevent the Bill becoming an Act. It will not be any Government department that will bring this Bill down; it Avill be the ManawatuOroua River Board sponsored by some member of Parliament. The Council can appoint a representative to go to the meeting if they like. Cr. Kilaby: Seeing that the Council is involved in nearly £6OOO, I think we should keep in touch with what is going on, both for ""and against. It would be a fine thing for that district to introduce some scheme, but we want to keep in touch with everything that is going on, and some representative of this Council should be at that meeting. As you say, they have nobody to protest to —they are a bit premature. The Chairman: We made our protest, and there is no reason why we should not make a further protest against the Act going through. Cr. Jenson: Do you consider that the high" land will benefit by making that outer area a dry area? The Chairman: No. I protested that we had our own burdens to bear and our own difficulties, and I thought that was sufficient.

Cr. Jenaon: Wellington would derive as much benefit by the through traffic as the southern end of this county. The Chairman: There will be plenty of opportunity for us to protest when they try to get a Bill through Parliament.

Cr. Jenson: Who is the mover in this meeting of protest? The Chairman: I think the Manawatu County and the Sluggish Biver Drainage Board. Cr. Jenson: This Council has not been notified officially? The Chair nan: No. Cr. Kilsby: It Avill be. (Jr. McLeavey: I don't care when it is made, but we have got to make a protest. . The Chairman: I don't see any good in blowing off a lot of hot air without getting anj'where. Cr. Byder: I think you take the .correct view, Mr Chairman. Until we can get someone to go to, it is no good going any further. I am in favour of a protest at the right time.. The Chairman: If the Council tells me to go, I will go there; but the point is, what good- am I going to do? I don't think they can tell me anything if Igo to the meeting. I have got no hot air to blow off. Just at the moment people are very sore, but there is a correct method of making your protest, No motion was put to' the meeting, and the subject dropped.