P.—6c

(b.) To report, in the case of each river, what area or areas of land- should. he constituted a district in respect of which a rate may be levied, to secure and pay the interest on and, provide a, fund, for the repayment of any loan that may be raised to carry out any river-improvement works which you may recommend should, be undertaken. The area recommended to be constituted a district in respect of which a rate over the whole or any portion thereof may be levied to secure and pay the interest on and provide a fund for the repayment of any loan that may be raised to carry out the river-improvement works recommended by your Commissioners, and for the payment of administrative, maintenance, and other charges, is the whole, of the watershed of the Aparima River above the point where it flows into the estuary. It is further recommended that the district should be divided into three areas, to be known as " river ridings," as follows : The first area comprising all lands within the drainage area on both sides of the river extending from the Jacob's River estuary up to the southern boundary of the town of Otautau ; the second area to embrace all lands within the drainage area on the right bank of the river extending from and embracing the town of Otautau up to the limits of the northern extremity of the drainage area ; and the third area to comprise all lands within the drainage area on the left bank of the river extending above the town of Otautau up to the northern extremity of the drainage area. These three areas to be known respectively as the Lower Aparima River Riding, the Bight Bank Upper Aparima. River Riding, and the Left Bank Upper Aparima River Riding. As in each district certain portions receive more benefit from flood-protection, works than, others, and other portions receive no direct benefit at all, it is recommended that the rating be graduated, as defined in the River Boards Act, such areas as receive no benefit to pay no rates. The fixing of the rates in each area should be the duty of the controlling body hereinafter described. (e.) To report your opinion as to what matters, if any, should be adjusted by legislation. Your Commissioners consider that the whole of their findings, as set forth in. this report, should lie, enacted in special legislation, to lie called, the Aparima River improvement Act. (d.) Generally, to report your opinion on all matters arising out of or touching the premises, including the question as to 'whether or not one or more competent authorities shall be appointed to control the whole or any portion, of the said river, and what statutory powers should, be possessed by such authority. Your Commissioners consider that for the purpose of carrying out the works described generally under reference No. 3, and ensuring their proper maintenance in the future, also for the proper control of the river and for the better protection, of the interests of the whole community, one controlling authority should be appointed. The district to be represented and controlled should comprise the whole of the three river ridings already referred to and described under reference No. 5 (b), and this district should be, termed " The Apa,rima River Trust District." The Trust controlling the district should be composed of three local representatives, one member being elected from each river riding, and also of two Government representatives, called " River Commissioners," appointed for three years by the Minister of Public Works, one of the Government nominees being a person well versed in local-body work, and the other an engineer with expert knowledge of river-control. Your Commissioners further recommend that the duties of this controlling authority be clearly set out as follows : — (.1.) To have detail surveys, plans, estimates, and specifications made for carrying out the works recommended above. These plans should be subject to the approval of the Government nominees on the Trust before any works are undertaken.

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