DRAINAGE BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4608, 1 October 1923, Page 2

DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Drainage Board was held in the Turua Buildings on Friday last, there being present Messrs G. Gray (in the chair), J. Mules, R. H. Baker, D. G, McMillan, R. H. Heappy, and the clerk (Mr J. E. Green). FENCING OF DRAINS Mr J. Hamilton wrote pointing out that while he had fenced his side of the Thames Valley Outlet the property owners on the other sL'.2 of the drain had not erected fences, the result that there was danger of serious damage being done by cattlm Members pointed out that damage had already been done. Mr McMillan said that such cases were becoming too frequent. The Briaid had obtained wire and staples for the use of the landowners. The clerk said that the Board co vid now, under the amended Drainage Act, serve notice to have a legal fence under the Fencing Act erected. Sach notice would probably bring the Irmlt.wner to the Board to negotiate to have less than a legal fence. I) was decided to inform ’he landowner.- that the drain must be fenced within one month, otherwise notice •..■ould be served to have a legal fence erected. It v as decided to ordsr another ton of barb wire and have five hundred weight diverted to Fisher’s Landing. Netherlon, Ipr the use of ratepayers i that area. WORKS. Mr Heappy said that he proposed to havG a hardwood gate in ted at Cartel’s Corner. The rhairman reported that he had let a contract for laying back the No 1 northern area drain to a one to one batter at Is 3d . a yard. Mr D. G. McMillan reported having had Ansford’s drain dragged and the Wharepoa Road and Troughton’s drains improved. Mr R. H. Heappy reported having had work done on the Pekapeka Road to Mclntosh’s centre drain. Mr J. Mules reported that the improvements to the drain on the north side of Piako Road were to be continued to Hauraki Road. RATES'. The clerk reported on the rates struck for the. ensuing year. They were greater than those of the preceding year, as there was a debit balance in four of the accounts owing to the amount of extra work required by the abnormal winter. The extra rates required to liquidate this liability were : Northern and Central areas %d, Te Kaui;i and Monganui areas 14 j. The Board had previously decided that provision should be made to provide for a greater expenditure in future if required. The reclassification of the land had not made a big difference in the total amount raised, but the sum raised under the various classifications varied considerably from previous years. It was also very difficult to know how to apportion the antecedent liability. No seaprate accounts had been kept for the different areas, Under the systejn decided upon by the Board the Monganui area certainly suffered. After a great deal of discussion the clerk was authorised to prepare separate statements for each area,, showing the past expenditure and how the present rates had been arrived at. A comparison could then be made and an adjustment if required. STANDING ORDERS. Mr D. G. McMillan gave notice of motion that standing orders be amended to provide that financial matters be dealt with prior to the ordinary business. The clerk said that an amendment of the Act now permitted separate accounts to be kept for each area. He could therefore in future have a detailed financial statement prepared for each evening. It would be preferable for members to let him know a few days before meeting what accounts for work done would be presented.