DRAINAGE ON THE PLAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4496, 27 November 1922, Page 3

DRAINAGE ON THE PLAINS

TH® HAURAKI AREA. meeting of the board. Tire Hauraki Drainage Board met at Turua on Friday, the following members being present: Messrs G. Gray, R. H. Heappey, D. G. McMillan, R. Baker!, J. Mules, and the clerk, Mr j. E.. Green. This being the first meeting after the recent election (the old board being returned without -alteration) the clerk took the chair and called for nominations for chairman. MiGray was unanimously re-elected. Mr Gray, expressing for the honour, hoped t thc new board would carry on with the usual harmony. He said that there was peiIbaps no other board in the district which had worked so harmoniously as this board, and he hoped it would continue in the same way. A HUIRAU ROAD FARM. Messrs W. Madgwick and A. H. Sutton, on behalf of the Huir.au Road dairy factory farm, waited on the board with a request to have a culvert opened at. the top of Huirau Road* to give outlet for draining a farm which was very wet in the winter time, being practically a bog. The farm could be efficiently drained with a drain in front of the-farm, providing they could get the water away. The deputationists were prepared to put in their own drain. They also wished to know who filled the culvert in. They had previously had-the outlet, and contended that they weie entitled to it now. - 1 The clerk said he had ascertained that the County Council had filled the drain up 18. months ago without _ the .sanction of the board. The chairman said it would be hard for the board to open the drain, after the County Council had closed it.uPHe did hot think the board f cpuld consider opening a drain there, as it may be asked to dp quite a lot of. similar work elsewhere. Each had an outlet at present. Mr Madgwick said that practically every house drained into the. outlet drains. The ’chairman said that was a practice they were endeavouring to Stop. Mr Madgwick asked if the board would meet them half way. They did not want any more than whaUothers had, but they wanted justice. They cou'd easily claim a little extra drainage. If the., board could not make £.ll of rates do the work it should levy more. Mr McMillan: Are you willing to have your land reclassified ? . Mr Madgwick’s reply was non-com-mittal— Mr McMillan: You .are prepared to - pay for it ? o * - z Mr Madgwick: Yes. ’Mr Baker said the extra four sec-, -tions would have to be additionally rated. Mr Madgwick later said tfiat the only way would be tp go in for a reclassification. Mr McMillan suggested that Messrs Sutton and Madgwick should wait on the County* Council and ask it to reopen the drain. • The chairman supported; the suggestion. ! * Mr Madgwick said they would first consult with the settlers concerned • and endeavour to make a united effort. PAYMENT OF SUBSIDY. The Department of Lands and Survey, Auckland, advised that the voucher for payment of\£soo to the board was ready for passing., . The head office had advised that the Public Works Department had been re- . quested to issue authority for payment of the subsidy, and as soon a.s 1 the 'authority came to hand the •' voucher would be forwarded. PIGS IN DRAINS: Mr McMillan said that pigs were, , absolutely living in the Gumtown outlet drain, and doing more damage than what the pigs were worth. The position was 1 absolutely disgraceful. Messrs Baker and McMillan were deputed to inspect, the drain, assess the cost, and interview the owner of the pigs to ascertain if he would be prepared to pay for the damage done, ’ the committee having full power to act. WORKS TO BE DONE. It war. decided m authorise all gates that were leaking tp be repaired. The digging of six'chains of new drain to give outlet to Mr Maxwell’s property was authorised.