H—2B

44

to control land-drainage and river works in the area affected by the lower reaches of the Kaituna River, and also to consider the question of the inclusion in the new authority of any other areas which should be included in the new authority, for the purpose of giving maximum benefit and control in the said lower reaches of the Kaituna River and the land draining into it. The matter was thoroughly investigated and the views of the parties obtained as to the extent of the areas which it was considered should be included in the new authority. A report was sought from the River Board's engineer, and on the Ist August, 1949, the three Boards indicated that they had reached a measure of agreement on the proposals. Both of the drainage districts of Tumu Kaituna and Te Puke were within the River District of Kaituna. Proposals for the dissolution of the two Drainage Boards and the transfer of their powers and functions to the Kaituna River Board were submitted to the Commission on the 16th August, 1949. Further investigation was undertaken, and the Kaituna River Board indicated that if effect were given to the proposals of the three Boards it would facilitate its ultimate absorption by any Catchment Board which might be set up to control the Board's district at such time as the Catchment Board was in a position effectively to take over the Board's undertaking. The Board also indicated that in the opinion of its members, and in the light of expert evidence which it had before it, its present district was large enough to embrace the land affected by a major river-diversion scheme which was proposed. Further, that in the Kaituna River Board's opinion the present number of members of the Board, seven, was adequate for the future administration of the district. Both the Tumu Kaituna and Te Puke Drainage Boards signified their agreement to the transfer of their powers and functions to the Kaituna River Board. Publicity was given locally to the proposals, and we were advised that no objections were received by any one of the Boards. The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council also consented to the proposals, on the understanding that at such time as a Bay of Plenty Catchment Board was constituted and the Board was effectively operating, the functions of the Kaituna River Board would be transferred to it. The Commission promulgated a provisional scheme on the 20th December, 1949. No objections were lodged, and a final scheme was promulgated on the Ist March, 1950. XIII. CONSTITUTION OF A DISTRICT: INVOLVING A PUBLIC INQUIRY Constitution op an Independent Town District: Tawa Flat-Linden Localities in Makara County Reference has previously been made to this district under the heading of " Johnsonville Town District and Certain Areas in the Makara County " (pages 20-26). XIV. CONSTITUTION OF DISTRICT : NOT INVOLVING A PUBLIC INQUIRY Tuapeka Rabbit District A request was made to the Commission by the Department of Agriculture on the 3rd July, 1949, for the constitution of the Tuapeka Rabbit District, comprising 85,500 acres, in pursuance of section 29 of the Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Act, 1947, and a petition addressed to His Excellency the Governor-General purporting to be signed by 106 ratepayers with rateable properties in the proposed district supported the request. Owing to the Commission being unable to obtain certain requisite information, considerable delay occurred, but eventually it was ascertained that the valid signatories to the petition numbered only 87 out of 197 ratepayers in the district, while the acreage represented by the signatories was 41,651 acres of the total area of 85,500 acres. The Commission accordingly decided not to recommend the constitution of the district for