HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4800, 19 January 1925, Page 3

HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. I’he regular meeting of the Horahit Drainage Board was held at Mr F. Kneebone’s residence on Friday last, the following being present: Messrs W McDuff (chairman), J. C. Miller, J. M. Thompson, R. L. Davies, W. E. Hale, and W. E. G. Willy (cierk). BANKING ACCOUNT. The formal resolution required by the bunkers was carried, signed, and sealed. FIDELITY BOND. Information with regard to the rates for fidelity insurance was received from several insurance firms, but in view of the cost and the state of the board's finances the matter was left in abeyance. OFFICE APPLIANCES. The clerk reported having purchased sundry office appliances, including a typewriter. SUBDIVISION VALUATIONS. The clerk reported that the size and valuations of the three wards into which the drainage district had been divided were as follows: Northern are, 5470 acres 1 rood 12 perches, unimproved valuation £117,730 ; Central area, 5222 acres 3 roods 25 perches, unimproved valuation £108,995 ; Southern area, 3564 acres 2 roods 4 perches, unimproved valuation £76,528. The subdivision special order was deferred until the April meeting of tlie board, and the clerk was authorised to obtain legal advice on the matter. A KOPUARAHI DRAIN. Mr McDuff moved that the drain through Mr R. G. Miller’s property fie proceeded with, and that the clerk serve the necessary notice to connect up. Seconded by Mr J. M. Thompson ami carried. CLASSIFICATION OF LAND. The board’s classifier, Mr W. E. G. Willy, reported that in accordance witli tlie warrant of appointment he had now completed the classification of the land in the drainage district. In view of the fact that the major portion of the area was of a similar character, and drainage facilities over the level portions being fairly evenly distributed, most of the level land had been classified “A.” Two sections in the Maioro Block, at the mouth of the Piako River, had been put in class “B.” It was considered that these sections could in fairness to tlie owners be so placed until the board deemed it desirable to take over the private stop-bank protecting one of the properties.

Tlie higher lands, comprised mostly of tlie township of Kerepeehi, were placed in “B,” as the advantage received by them Avas not quite so pronounced as'that recieved by the level areas.

The classification list u'as discussed at length and it, was decided to adopt the report and classification and authorise the chairman to sign same and deposit it for inspection. Tlie clerk explained that the next procedure, was to draw up a ratepayers’ list and carry out the formalities to legalise it. An official returning officer should also be appointed.— Agreed to. , STRIKING OF RATE. The chairman gave notice of motion as follows : “That the Horahia Drainage Board at its meeting to be held on Friday, February 20, 1925, at 10.30 a.m., do make and levy, under sections 31 and 33 of the Land Drainage Act, 1908, and amendments thereto and the Rating Act, 1908, and amendments thereto the following several rates for tlie period commencing on .the 23rd day of September, 1924, and ending on the 31st day of March, 1925, namely : Upon all lands classified as “A” in the classification made by the board of th.e rateable property within the district, a. rate of six farthings in the £ ; upon all lands classified ,as ‘*B,’’ a rate of five farthings in the £.” The position with regard to the rate levied by the Government was discussed in committee, and it was decided to approach the Minister for Lands on the subject. GOVERNMENT GRANT.

A letter was received from Mr T. W. Rhodes. M.P., stating that a reply had been received from the Minister for Lands concerning the £2OOO promised by the Government. He stated that £750 had appeared on the estimates, but the balance of £1250' had been inadvertently omitted and the matter would have to stand over for next year’s estimates. ' The Minister would be visiting the Plains on Monday, 26th inst., and it was suggested that the board interview him with a A’iew to obtaining assistance in anticipation of the rate to be made. Proposals for work to absorb the £750 should be submitted to the Lands Drainage Department for authority to expend

It was decided to approach the Minister, as suggested. Discussing the work to be undertaken with this money, Mr XV. E.-Hale advocated that the duplication of the Shelly Beach flood u gate be seriously considered. The present gate was congested in normal times, as it was the only outlet for practically half of the Kopuarahi and Shelly Beach areas. The undertaking would not be very costly, as certain old culverts could be utilised. Mr McDuff said that one of the flnst drains to be given attention should be the one alongside Orchard East Road, together with the outlet near the bridge. In his opinion the provision of an extra flood-gate or a sluice-gate would be preferable to a drain between the sections fronting the Horahia and Orchard East roads.

Mr Hale pointed out that owing to the fact that during floods the river was higher at the Ngatea bridge than the water behind the stop-banks. This condition had in past floods Tasted for several days, so the question of providing electric . pumps should be considered.

Mr Thompson mentioned that when the water from near Kerepeehi was

sent direct to the river less would proceed to Ngatea. The racecours-J drain could be utilised more than had been the case in the past. Mr Hale pointed out that this drain wars a boundary drain between the Horahia and Elstow drainage boards. On his motion it was decided that the clerk communicate with the Elstow board asking its co-operation in improving the drain. In view of the fact that as yet the board was not in a position to lay out big works, Mr Hale suggested that a committee comprising the chairman, Mr J. C. Miller, and the secretary approach Mr E. Taylor, Land Drainage Engineer, and endeavour to get the Lands Department to undertake the work required at Shelly Beach and Orchard East Road. —Agreed to., Mr Thompson asked what proportion of the money was to be spent to relieve the area north of the Kere-peehi-Ngatea road. It wa« stated that this particular grant had been obtained from the Minister, for Lands to improve the stop-banks and outlets. Members admitted that tlie area mentioned was the w ;rst drained, area in the board’s district, and that the more work the settlers did tlie more water came on to hteir farms from the outlet drains. Mr Hale suggested that a deputation wait upon tlie Minister and endeavour ot obtain a grant or a subsidy for work in tlie area. It could be pointed out that a grant had been made for work that woua’ greatly benefit the remainder of the board’s area, but that this money could not be utilised for work away from the river. ACCOUNTS. The arrangement made by the clerk whereby Mrs Kneebone was to be p,aid 15s a month for the use of a room for board meetings and luncheon for members was confirmed, and other accounts totalling £55 13s 7d were passed for payment. TE KAURI DRAIN. In connection w’ith .tlie proposed inspection of the Te Kauri drain in conjunction with the Hauraki Drainage Board and Lands Drainage Engineer that was postponed from a date in December, it was decided that provided the day was convenient to the other parties, the inspection be made on Thursday, January 22, at 11 a.m. CLEANING OF DRAINS. In view: of the fact that the cleaning of the drains in the board’s area would commence shortly a discussion took place on what drains should receive attention. It was decided that all the existing Lands Department drains with certain exceptions should be cleaned to certain specifications. A difficulty in obtaining tenders Was anticipated unlesis settlers tendered for cleaning small sections in their locality. ' DUAL-CONTDOLLED DRAINS. The question of what should be done in case the Hauraki Drainage Board’s cleaning operations did not coincide with those of the board was brought up, and the clerk was instrutced to write to the Hauraki Board and ask what it intended to do in regard to the dual-controlled drains. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. The chairman and secretary were appointed a deputation to wait upon the Minister for Lands in regard to the matters dsicussed, and also to ask what proportion of the £2500 voted for the improvement of stop-banks was to be spent on the eastern bank of the Piako River.