PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4693, 2 May 1924, Page 2

PLAINS DRAINAGE.

HAURAKI BOARD’S MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Drainage Board was held at Turua yesterday, six days late than the regular date, which fell on Anzac Day. There were present: Messrs G. Gray (chairman). R. H. Heappey, J. Mules. D. G. McMillan, R. Baker, and J. E. Green (clerk). DEPUTATIONS. Messrs J. Hamilton, A. Robertson, and A 11, Heaseman waited upon the board, Mr Hamilton asked if the board would improve the roadside drain from the Willow drain to Huirau Road, and also the Thames Valley bullet. He pointed out that certain pipes in the roadside drain were impeding the flow of water. Mr Baker stated that there was only a small sum of money available. Mr Hamilton said that the water should be sent down the Willow drain instead of down Huirau Road. Mr Baker pointed out that this would be too costly, and suggested improving the Thames Valley outlet. The chairman supported, and pointed out that the work being done by the Government would prevent- the water coming from the back country. Mr Heaseman admitted that th? Thames Valley drain was their outlet and he thought il should be improved, but the main road drain from Huirau Road to the Willow drain should also be improved. Mr Baker pointed out that in flood time the water in the roadside drain could not compete with '.he flow in the Willow drain. Mr Heappey objected to money being spent on roadside drains. The chairman stated that the board was finding it very hard to carry on. Tn every area the cleaning of drains cost more this year than ! n previous years. At the -present time the beard had not the money to lo the roadside drain. The area member had ear-marked a certain sum for the Thames Valley outlet, and he advised the deputation to concentrate on that drain. Mr Heaseman pointed out that tne Thames' Valley outlet flood-gate was leaking badly, and that a stop-bang was necessary •between that outlet and the Willow outlet to keep the tide out at abnormal times. Mr Baker said that he had given instructions to have the flood-gate repaired. It was agreed that numerous floodgates were injured by settlers placing (imber in the gates to keep them open to permit the water to come up for the benefit of their stock. It was the duty of every ratepayer to report to the board anything of this nature. Mr D, Clotworthy waited on the board and said that he had been flooded by the recent abnormal tide. His ground was low, and the water from the drain spread over it at spring tide and when the river was in flood. He suggested that a certain drain be tilled up. Mr Baker said that if Mr Clotworthy erected a stop-bank he would undertake to have other stop-banks erected to keep the tides out. Mr Clotworthy suggested stop-bank-ing the drain only. The chairman said that when the work in the Te Kauri and Willow drains was completed the water from the back country would not come down. The tide could be kept out »>y stop-bunking, as suggested by Mr Baker. Mr W. Madgwick waited upon the board in reference to the flooding of laud by the high tides. He had been requested to wait upon the board oy the settlers to ascertain if it had any policy on the matter. The question was bound up with the drainage, and the .settlers were prepared to pay more rates. He offered as a suggestion that the board .adopt a standard to which the settlers could build a stop-bank so that the board coull take them over. A method of dealing with those settlers who would not build the stop-banks would have to be found. Mr McMillan pointed out that the board had no power to compel a man to erect : stop-banks. Mr Heappey suggested forming a special rating area for the purpose. Mr Gray, upported the idea of stopbanking, and pointed out the damage to drains when the abnormal tides came over the land. Mr McMillan suggested that the settlers of the Huirau Road area get together and formulate a scheme. Mr Madgwick said that any scheme would al <> benefit the back area. Ho suggested that the ordinary classification bo abolished and everyone rated on a flat rate. CLEANING OF DRAINS. Members reported in detail of the work completed and under way in the various drains in the area. Practically all the work in the Te Kauri and Central areas had been completed. In the Monganui area only two drains remain to be done, while in the Netherton and Central areas one drain it’, each remains to be cleaned. FLOOD-GATES. It was decided that all the floodgates be inspected and repaired wherever necessary.