WAIKATO DRAINAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 507, 9 November 1928, Page 13

WAIKATO DRAINAGE

AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL ENGINEER S REPORT CONSIDERED HAMILTON, To-day. “It is like Mrs. Beaton’s advice on how to cook a hare —procure the hare first,” observed Mr. A. H. Waring, at a conference of representatives of six Waikato drainage boards who met today to discuss the amalgamation scheme. The Waikato County Council was also represented. The hare mentioned by Mr. Waring was intended to represent £ s. d., which he considered was essential for preliminary expenses required for obtaining classification returns ancl particulars of present valuations and boundaries before any further steps could be taken. Many phases of the problem were explained by Mr. R. G. Macmorrow, chief Government drainage engineer, in a special report which he prepared at the request of the original conference held some weeks ago. He pointed out that the present loans could not be lifted from the respective districts, and the liability would have to be borne by the different boards until the terms of the loans were exhausted. He also stated that special legislation would have to be introduced if the amalgamated boards were to base valuations on the acreage system After discussion, a committee was appointed to confer with the Government officers and obtain further assistance and information for a report to a future meeting of the Amalgamation Committee.