ORCHARD EAST DRAINAGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4593, 1 August 1923, Page 4

ORCHARD EAST DRAINAGE

CONFERENCE AT TURUA. PROPOSALS AGREED TO. A conference between the Hauraki Drainage Board and the Lands Draiirage Engineer (Mr E. Taylor) was he’d at Turua. on Friday to discuss details of the proposed drainage of lands adjoining Orchard East. Road and the Board’s contribution towards, the cost. Mr Taylor said that the proposal was to spend £2200 in improving Willow Tree Drain and Te Kauri No. 2 Drain. These would require widening and deepening. Fences would require removing and a bridge improved. He asked what the Board was prepared to contribute. In reply to a member, he said that a one to one batter would ensure greater freedom from slips, and but for the greater cost he would recommend it. Such a batter would cost £3OO more on the Te Kauri drain alone. Tn his opinion, said Mr Taylor, the proposals would relieve the settlers of the Orchard East area. They would give the greatest benefit at the least cost. As the area became more closely settled and more drains were made on the farms, more outlets would be required. A one te one batter appeared to be what was required in country of this nature. Mr McCombs, a settler of Orchard East Road, was also present, and argued that a better scheme would be to make another outlet, say, down the Orchard East road, to • connect wPh the Thames Valley cutlet. This would, he thought, be cheaper in the long run. Mr Taylor said that extra outlets would undoubtedly be required i.i time, but at present the proposed scheme would be the most advantageous for the cost. A deep drain could not be made down Orchard East Road without acquiring land from settlers. Asked what subsidy would be forthcoming, Mr Taylor said that at present he did not know. As far as the departmental officers were concerned, as big a subsidy as possible had been asked for. The question was for Cabinet to consider. Mr McMillan said that the Drainage Board would not object to the settlers making the Orchard East drain and connecting with the Thames Valley outlet, but the Board would not recommend it. Mr Taylor said that he had gone into this question thoroughly, and he found that he could not recommend it. Various factors were against it, and there was little to recommend it. The Orchard East road drain would only be an easement drain. Regarding the proposed drainage board, Mr Gray said that it would take two years to get going. It woull be i great benefit to get the proposed .scheme going right away, as settlers would get the drainage next winter. Coming back to the original scheme, Mr Gray said that Mr Baker, who represented the area along the Willow Tree drain, had expressed the opinion that his area should not contribute. It was the highest rated area, and had already spent a large sum of money. Mr Taylor said that if the Board could not contribute that settled the matter. The Board was asking that a one to one batter be made, .and it was only fair to pay something for this. This .batter would undoubtedly be better, but it was a question of cost. The finished drain would be a great benefit to the Board’s area. If the Board would not contribute the batter would be % to one and the maintenance cost would be higher. He could' not go to the settlers with a more expensive scheme. While a one to one batter was better than a 34 to one, he thought that a % to one would be sufficient. MAINTENANCE. Mr Taylor said that maintenance should remain at it was. The department would do its part and the Board its part. After much discussion it was announced that the Board could not pay any more maintenance. The rates on the area -were almost up to the limit. Mr Taylor said that if the Board would come in and contribute a little it would make a great difference in getting a bigger subsidy. Mr Gray said that the Board had already spent a very large sum on those drains. Members stated that even if the Board was willing tp contribute, it could not. The rates would not stand it, and a, loan proposal would be turned down. Mr Taylor contended that the Board - should pay half maintenance. The question of what would happen should another drainage board be formed was discussed. Mr Taylor said the matter would probably be settled by a commission, • but the present arrangement would probably be taken as a precedent. He pointed out that a certain part sf the Willow Tree drain would then become a common boundary drain. After Mr Taylor had retired the matter was further discussed. Mr Gray considered that if the batter was one to one the Board shoull pay half maintenance. Members were sympathetic to the proposal, but the question was where was the money to come from. It was suggested that the Board contribute10s in the £ on the cost of one to one batter, provided a subsidy was forthcoming on its second £5OOO loan, and. that the Board pay the half cost oE maintaining drains as is now being done from the river to the 0.R.1L boundary. / Finally Mr McMillan moved in that* direction. Mr Heappy seconded, and the motion was carried. OTHER MATTERS. Mr Taylor said that the Department would probably favourably consider contributing towards the cost of fencing dual control drains. The matter of Government subsidies was explained by the clerk, and Mr Taylor said that a bigger subsidy was deserved, as other boards were

receiving more than the Hauraki Board, and there was no doubt that the work had been well done' and money had been well spent. Mr H. Brown, of Orchard East, waited upon the Board to ascertain if the Board would pay any compensation for the damage done to his land as the work was progressing. He would have practically no grass for the next twelve months. Mr Taylor said th at discussed the situation with Mr Brown, and suggested that the bank be graded back. This would make a good road, and would be a benefit to the farm. As little damage as possible wpuld be done. Mr McMillan said that the drainage board would protect the interests of the ratepayers. Mr Taylor said that the spoil could be deposited on the reserve, but he thought that what was proposed would be best.