PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4769, 29 October 1924, Page 4

PLAINS DRAINAGE.

THE HAURAKI BOARD. REGULAR MEETING AT TURUA. The regular meeting of the Hauraki Board was held in the Turua Buildings on Friday last, when there were present: Messrs G. Gray (chairman), R. H. Heappey, J. Mules, D. G. McMillan, R. H. Baker, and the clerk, Mr J. E. Green. FINANCE. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., wrote from* Wellington stating that he had had several interviews with the Minister with the object of getting a subsidy on the board’s £5OO loan made available, but without success. The best he could get. was a promise that provision would be made for it on the Estimates. CONFERENCE WITH COUNTY. The. county clerk wrote suggesting Saturday, November 1, as a date for a conference between the! representatives of the board and the council, when many matters in connection with roadside drains would be discussed. The date was accepted, and the board decided that, the meeting be held at Turua. HUIRAU ROADSIDE DRAIN. Mr Baker reported that the Huirau roadside drain was slipping, and the bottom was coming up. This had been caused by the operations of the county l employees on the road. It was decided to bring up the matter at the forthcoming conference. REPORT OF WORKS. The foreman, Mr J. McConnell, attended and reported on the work undertaken during the month. Comparatively little had been done, and no men had been employed. Timber had arrived for flood-gates. The fences on the Te Kauri and the Wharepoa Ferry road drains had been shifted. No work could be done in the drains on account of the amount of water. The concrete work in the Wharepoa roadside drain was held up for this reason. He was of opinion that it would be better to defer the work on the Huirau roadside drain bridge until after the drain had been improved. Mr McConnell was authorised to obtain iron bans for 1 hinges on the proposed wooden flood-gates to be erected at the Wharepoa outlet. CLEANING OF DRAINS. Several members reported having engaged contractors tex do cleaning pi removing of weeds. CLASSIFICATION OF LAND. Considerable discussion took place on the question of how the several sections of land which had been subdivided since the land was classified should be separately claissified. Adjustments in six instances were made by the board. DUAL DRAINS. Mr D. G. McMillan reported having interviewed the Lands Drainage Engineer with regard .to the cleaning of dual controlled drains. Mr Taylor had said that his department would not contribute anything towards the cost of the work. One cleaning a year should prove sufficient. Members pointed out that the department had contributed in the past. The excuse of the department, for not contributing for dual controlled drains was that the Horahia drainage area had been constituted. Mr Baker reported having interviewed Mr" Taylor concerning the cleaning of the channel outside the Willow drain gate. He had been informed that no money was available unless some came to hand from the “thirds.” ACCOUNTS, Accounts totalling £92 18s 3d were passed for payment.