DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20742, 28 February 1939, Page 10

DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

MINISTER’S INSPECTION WOODLANDS DISTRICT SETTLERS RATES FOR MAINTENANCE The difficulties with regard to drainage which lace the farmers in the Woodlands district situated between Motumaoho and Gordonton) were related by members of the Woodlands Settlers’ League yesterday afternoon when a visit was paid to the area by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin . Mr C. A. Barrell (M.P. for Hamilton) and Mr W. S. Goosman (M.P. lor Waikato). A deputation from the league, headed by •the president, Mr \V. J. Bridgman, mel the official party on the farm of Mr R. Maunder. The crushing burden of rates imposed by the Taupiri Drainage Board, which was responsible for the area, was outlined by Mr Bridgman, who stated that although a high maintenance rate was being paid by the settlers there was nothing to show for it. It had been stated that the amalgamation of the Woodlands area with the Taupiri Board would mean reduced rates and other advantages, but the actual result had been that the Woodlands drains had been abandoned for the most part and the rates had gone up. The latter trouble was partly due to the fact that the interest and sinking fund on the Woodlands loan had not been paid, and when the settlers approached the Hon. W. Nash to have the interest and sinking fund suspended he had replied in the negative. Special legislation would be necessary to help the settlers out of the difficulty and it was asked that the Minister of Agriculture convince the Minister of Finance that such legislation was absolutely necessary. Scientific Methods Needed The settlers had great faith in the potentialities of the swamp land and were certain that it could be reclaimed on an economical basis if it were treated by scientific methods, instead of by wasting time and money on deep drainage which would do no good unless the top soil were broken up, said Mr Bridgman. The three requests made by the settlers were: (1) That relief be granted from the drainage rates from which little neneflt was accruing to the farmers and that any necessary legislation to that end be enacted; (2; that experimental work be carried out in conjunction with the farmers to show the potentialities of the peat lands; and (3) that the Government take over the unproductive and unoccupied land ijn the area. Mr Bridgman stated that the settlers were of the opinion that all that land should be treated as a whole. “If the drains in your area are not being maintained you should not be charged maintenance rates,” said the Minister. An Impossible Position “The farmers are not receiving the benefits that it is calculated they are getting,” said Mr Maunder. “We are not asking for anything we are not entitled to, but at present we are in an impossible position. We have great faith in the peat lands and we are convinced that if they are treated scientifically they could be brought into a highly productive condition. However, the settlers have not the .money to carry out the necessary experiments, but they have igreat faith in the capabilities of the Government officers. If an experimental station were established to show what could be done with the swamp country the land would be given free of cost.” In reply the Minister stated that the league’s proposals did not concern only the Department of Agriculture. The approval of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Lands would also have to be sought. After making an inspection of the land the Minister undertook to make representations to the departments concerned to see if there was some way of overcoming the difficulties confronting the settlers. The speaker was prepared to assist in any waypossible and would also see the Direc-tor-General of Agriculture, with a view to having Air P. W. Smallfield (fields superintendent) make a report on the matter. ROTOTUNA OUTLET DEEPENING OF DRAIN Drainage matters affecting the main outlet from Lake Rototuna were discussed yesterday when Messrs D. Bruce and L. llurrell. waited on Mr C. A. Barreil, M.P. lor Hamilton, who acted on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture. The deputation stated that the drain needed cleaning and deepening by about two feet and asked that the Public Works Department’s mechanical shovel, which would be in the district shortly, be used on the work, i After hearing the deputation Mr i Barrell promised lo bring the matter ■ to the attention of the Minister. I