PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4618, 29 October 1923, Page 3

PLAINS DRAINAGE.

BOARD MEETING. The regular, meeting of the Hauraki Drainage Board was held on Friday last There were present: Messrs G. Gray (chairman), R. H. Heappy. D. G.- McMillan, J. Mules, R. Baker, and the secretary, Mr J. E. Green. FENCING OF DRAINS-. The clerk reported having written to several ratepayers ip reference to the fencing of drains pointing put that by an amendment to the Drain- ? age Act boundary drains have been brought under the Fencing Act, and that the Board could no,w serve notice compelling property-owners to pay the full half cost of a legal fence. As, however, it was not necessary to have a full legal, fence to protect a drain in all cases, the Board would be satisfied if a sufficient fence to protect the drain was erected. Mr. McMillan moved that every ratonayer having property fronting Board's drains be written to and requested to have their drains fenced, if not already done. Mr Heappy seconded. > it was pointed out that the supply or the necessary wire by the Boardwould entail considerable expense but the maintenance cost would be greatly reduced. It was decided that in future all wire purchased by the Board should be paid for out of loma money. Members were instructed to supply the clerk with particulars concerning the drains which required fencing. DAMAGE TO DRAIN. Considerable discussion arose con- : cernijng-the damage to the mouth of the slaughterhouse road outlet, and it was left, in the hands of the chaiiman and the area member to go into the matter and assess the damage, ..with a view to claiming from the of the adjoining land. FailZing the amount being paid it was decided to prosecute. DUAL DRAINS. Mr McMillan brought up the matter of the dual control drains. Unless the wholes-of the Board’s area would contribute towards the cost of dqal control drains he proposed to have the Wharepoa-Kerepeehi roadside drain (north side) abandoned. It was 216 chains long, and only served two farms. It was too much for - his area to pay for. There were threi dual control drains, totalling 372 chains, in his area. The settlers could easily use the known as Tetley’s outlet. He was of the opinion that the Lands Drainage engineer should, be written to and asked to meet the Board and discuss the questoin at the next board meeting. This was agreed to, and it was decided to bring up the matter of the Towers outlet at the same time. NORTHERN AREA DRAINS. Mr Gray reported that the work on the No. 1-northern area drain would *cost more than previously thought, owing to the nature of the~country. could not tell what the cost would te until the job was completed and measured up. The ground was not level, and a greater batter than that decided upon by the Board would be necessary in some places to get be-, hind slips. The average cost would probably be £2 15s per chain. The ’ drain had been fenced, but water had lodged inside the fence in a furrow at the edge of some ploughing and had caused tihe bank to slip, taking the fence as well. The contractors wished the Board members to inspect the drain, and after the luncheon adjournment an ■ inspection was made of all drains in the northern area. Many of the were found to be silting up owing to badly fitting flood-gates, and it was agreed tp fit wooden frames. The No. 1 drain had been made with perpendicular sides, and in many places had closed in. The work of laying back the batter to one to one had sUjecn completed along one side for a distance of 23 chains. . ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £69 13s 8d were passed for payment. ,