DRAINAGE MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4325, 3 October 1921, Page 1

DRAINAGE MATTERS.

+ THE HAURAKI BOARD. ISSUE OF RATE NOTICES. The usual* monthly meeting of the Hauraki Drainage Board was held in the Board’s office, Turua, on Thursday. Present: Messrs Geo. Gray (chairman), J. Mules, R. H. Heappey, R. Baker, and G. D. McMillan. Mr I. E. Green (secretary) and Mr J. McConnell (foreman) were also present.

It was stated that skinned dead calves had been found in certain of the Board’s drains. Some of the dead animals had been found' opposite a milking shed. It is possible that action will be taken in this matter. This is undoubtedly a matter of considerable importance, and a offence. It was decided to write to a settler in whose land the calves .were found, claiming £2 damages for clearing the drain, and also stating that if the drain were not fenced further damage would be claimed. The foreman stated that there was very little water in the drains during the present period of fine weather. The chairman stated that very little" could be done till they obtained the Government grants.

It was stated by Mr Heappey that a certain work had been undertaken by the board at the request of the Lands Department, which bad not yet paid their share of the cost, as they had no money. The board had not commenced McMillan’s outlet and would not do so until a guarantee was obtained from the Government. The Government now complained of having no money. The Board had now to find the contractor’s money and wait till the Department would pay its share. The foreman reported that the fencing along the Te Kauri No. 2 drain (commonly known as McMillan’s drain) would be completed by Saturday. The chairman, speaking of drainage work done by Gugich’s party at the Te Kauri No. 2 drain, said it was a- credit to that party, the way it pushed on the -work. The chairman reported that an interview had been held .with the bank manager, whose attention was drawn to the fact that it was entitled to an increased overdraft. _He thought there would be no difficulty in obtaining this overdraft. The secretary reported that the rates had come in satisfactorily, and only a couple of ratepayers were in arrears.

The secretary said that the Board’s balance-sheet had been returned from the ' Auditor-General with certificate attached. The clerk was instructed to issue, the rate notices for the coming year. The notices are being issued a month earlier than they were the previous year. The rates for this year will average 2d in the £ on the unimproved value.

The secretary .was instructed to

write to several property owners regarding the absence of fences. The board would hold these people liable for damagfe done to drains.. It was resolved to put a 12in floodgate at Mrs Lindsay’s outlet drain. Mr Baker drew the Board’s attention to the large number of cattle straying on the ro.ads in Turua. The secretary said that cattle and pigs had been, known to be seen in the drains.