ELSTOW DRAINAGE BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4633, 3 December 1923, Page 3

ELSTOW DRAINAGE BOARD

AWAITI LOAN DISCUSSED. The first meeting of the new trustees of the Elstow Drainage Bparfi was held in the Board’s office, Waihou, on Friday last. There were present Messrs W. W- Dunn (Waihou), A. Davey (Eastern), Wm. T. Dale (Central), M. A. Carter and M. H. Wynyard (Awaiti). The clerk-engin-ee". Mr W. R. Johnson, was also in attendance. The returning officer took the chair and called for nominations for the position of chairman. Mr Dale moved and Mr Dunn seconded that Mr W. J. Andrews be appointed chairman. This was carried, and Mr Wm. Dale was elected deputy chairman. • AWAITI RATES. Mr Wynyard reported that a bond between the settlers of Awaiti and the Drainage Department that the rates would not. be increased if the '"'"'work was more than anticipated Had been handed to the chief drainage engineer for perusal. HERRIES MEMORIAL. It was decided, that a contribution of seven guineas be made towards the Herries memorial fund* with a recommendation ...that the memorial £e erected in the Borough of Te Aroha. AWAITI DRAINAGE. M. A- Carter wrote stating that the effect of the publication of the rate struck in the northern end of the Awaiti drainage area would be a block vote against the loan proposal. Owing to the high valuation on some .land in comparison with that on other land the rate per acre worked out in a very unjust manner. Quoting an instance, he wrote that a certain farm was valued at £l7 per acre. The rate on B classification was 8s 6d, so the load, was £8 per acre. It was ' anticipated by the settlers that the rate would be 2s 6d to 3s per acre on A class land. A great deal of-correspondence between. Mr Wynyard and the clerk, and M* Wynyard and various settlers, was read. It appeared that the rate on the proposed loan was on- the valuation basis according to the benefits received. The effect was that the land requiring the drainage most was classed A, as it would, when the work -was completed, derive the most benefit.- As this land at present was not capable of producing, its valuation was very low. The land farther away from the proposed work required drainage less, as- it was aleady in good order. The valuation was much higher than that in the A class, and ■ under the circumstances there was a big chance of the loan being turned down. Mr Wynyard reported that the settlers of Awaiti had met. Unless some assurance was given that the matter would be reconsidered later, the krf present rating was - unfair. A better system would be a flat rate until the gfwork was done, and then the land t could be classified according to the benefit received. The meeting had desided that Mr Wynyard should be asked to move the following resolutions at the next meeting of the drainage board:— •This Board recognises that in respect of the' loan for drainage in the Awaiti sub-division the fairest basis of rating is at a special rate per acre of the lands benefited on differential j a,ting of, say, 3s per acre for A lands 2s 6d for B lands, and 2s for C lands. P further recognises that the improved land of high valuation draining into the Awaiti stream, and which wos not affected by the high floods of l ist year in that stream* should not have to bear the loan special rate of more than 2s per acre. There being, however, no law in existence to enable a rate to be struck on an area basis, the Board gives its assurance : “ •!. That it will seek special legislation to authorise the levying and collection of special rates on the ** Awaiti sub-division on an acreage basis on differential rates providing the necessary interest and sinking fund on the loaji of £30,000 now being authorised, and \so that the highly valued land now draining into the Awaiti above last winter’s: floods will' not bear a special rate exceeding 2s per acre, and that such rates be substituted for the special rates authorised'by the poll.’ “ *2. That failing such legislation a reclassification : of the land in the Awaiti sub-division will be made by the Board and a revaluation applied for from the Valuation Department before collecting any special rates, and that the highly valued land draining into the Awaiti and not affected by last winter’s floods be classified so that the loan special rate to be collected from time will not exceed an average of 2s per -acre,’ ‘”3. That as the work progressed the subsidiary drains be .connected with the main canal to give outlet to ‘ the properties affected.’ *• ‘4. That the loan will only be raised in progress instalments as the work proceeds* and, therefore, the special rate collected will only be such as is necessary to pay the interest and sinking fund on the amount from time to time raised.’ ” Mr Canter supported, and on. the resolutions being put to the meeting they were carried. Mr Carter moved that the-engineer be instructed after the passing of the poll to inspect the area now drained by, the completed portion of the Awaiti canal in conjunction with Mr Mi A. Carter, and to confer with the engineer of the Lands Drainage Department with a view to completing the outlets from the privately-owned land to such completed portion of the canal, and to report to next meeting. Seconded by Mr W. Dunn and carried. RATES. 'The clerk reported on the financial statements of the various areas and the rates necessary to be struck. _it ’ was decided to hold a special ./ meeting on December. 21 to strike !? rates/ ■ The clerk was instructed to make urgent demands for last year’s rates. . Accounts totalling £415 5s 10d ere ■’passed for payment. is®®-/-: