FARMERS' UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4790, 17 December 1924, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF NGATEA BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Ngatea brancn of the Fanners Union teas held on Monday evening, Mr J. Bratlie presiding over a small attendance. DRAINAGE MATTERS. ' A letter was received from the Minister tor Lands in reference to the union s protest against the increase in the drainage rates in the Hauraki Plains. He advised that the increase was necessary to meet the cost of the maintenance of the drains and roads under the control of the department. AU moneys collected were expended on maintenance, and unless sufficient funds were available from rates the district must consequently suffer. As as it was, requests were continually being received for further maintenance expenditure, and it .would be seen that an increase in the drainage rate was unavoidable. Tiie question of enlarging the existing outlets had received very careful consideration, but it was contended that as the lands were disposed of many years ago, and as the whole of the proceeds had been expended in development works, the responsibility of financing any further improvement must rest with the settlers themselves. In this connection a very liberal subsidy for improvement works was being granted to the - new c rainage board, which hae just taken over control of the eastern portion of the settled area, and in the western portion, which was still under the control of the department, the drainage was never more efficient than it was to-day. Moreover, the volume of storm water has been greatlv reduced by the diversion of the drainage from a large area into the Waitakaruru canal, and the position would steadily improve as work in this locality progressed. The reference to the flooding of a large area about September 19 could not be understood. as there was very little rain at the tifne aud certainly no flooding. Membens pointed out that the amount of rate had been increased over 300 per cent, since the earlj’ days, when the tvhole of the roads were being maintained. In regard to the size of outlets, it was pointed out that two or three barrel flood-gates were being installed in areas recently opened up, yet it was the department’s contention that the old flood-gates weie of sufficinet size, it was certainly not fair to the settlers if they were to pay for any improvement in the outlets extended by the department to cope with the water from unsettled lands. Membens also contended that the dams in the Waitakaruru canal had, during the wet weather period, caused a diversion of the water down the new drains on to farm land. The secretary was instructed to reply. RECREATION RESERVE. The N.Z. Co-operative Dairy cTk" wrote stating that the area which was desired for a recreation ground had been leased for the season. The union was advised to apply again at the of the dairying season. s ROWER BOARD’S MATERIAL. The quantity of wire, insulator-, bolts, and other material left lying on the roadside and on farms by employees of the Power Board was mentioned by a member. Several others mentioned that coils of insulated wii a had been lying on their farms for months. It was decided to draw the attention of the area representative to the matter. STRAYING STOCK. The secretary was instructed to again drew the attention of the county council to the number of cattle and pigs straying on the leads. NGATEA BRIDGE. The question of the recesses on the Ngatea bridge was again brought up, and on it being pointed out that the council was still not in a position to provide the recesses it was decided to request the council to institute some form of traffic control.