DRAINAGE MATTERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4814, 23 February 1925, Page 3

DRAINAGE MATTERS.

REQUESTS TO HORAHIA BOARD. A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME. Numerous deputations asking for increased drainage facilities waited upon the Horahia Drainage Board at its regular meeting on Friday, and it soon became evident that a .comprehensive scheme for the whole area was urgently required. On the motion of Mr J. C. Miller a committee comprising Messrs W. MeDuff, W. E. Hale, J. M. Thompson, and F. A. Kneebone, together with the clerk, .was apopinted to go into the matter and report to the board. As many matters affected the Hauraki Drainage Board, it was decided that the whole board would meet the Hauraki Board in conference on Saturday next. ‘ ORCHARD EAST DRAINAGE. Messrs J- Spence and R. Gibbons waited upon the board and asked if anything could be done to deepen the Orchard East roadside drain to give them a better outlet. A fall of 2ft could be obtained by bringing up the fall from the Willow drain. Mr J. C. Miller said that the work was not maintenance, but constiuctitm. and would have to be paid for out of loan money. . Mr W. E. Hale said that if the settlers affected would get together and arrange to submit a price for cleaning the drain, and deepen it. at the same time, the board .would favourably consider the matter. So far no had been received for this . ' work.' ' ■ - . The deputation agreed to the suggestion. JUBILEE DRAIN EXTENSION. Messrs J. Kernick and H. H. Hicks waited upon the board .and stated that they had approached the Hauraki Board for. an outlet through the Jubilee drain, and had been referred to the Horahia Board. The deputation was prepared to finance the worn of constructing a short length of , new drain, improving the existing drain, and rearranging the flood-gate until such time, as the Horahia Board adopted a comprehensive scheme and took over the work, when a refund

be made. The matter of the maintenance would be one for mutual arrangement between the two boards. The Hauraki Board was quite agreeable to the proposition, but desired to deal with a drainage board rather than with individuals. Mr McDuff said, that the drain was - one which the board had decided to ► approach ■ the Hauraki Board about.

Mr Hale stated that there was no machinery by which a reimbursement ' couhl be made. • ; 1 Mr McDuff expressed the opinion that the board should meet the Hauraki Board to discuss the-position. TE KAURI No. 1 DRAIN. ' A deputation comprising Messrs F.

L. Hamilton and J. C. Miller, junr., settlers in the - Horahia-Opou area, waited upon the board and asked its co-operation In endeavouring to get the Te Kauri No. .1 drain created a dual controlled drain. The Hauraki Drainage Board was now doing permanent work on the Thames Valley outlet, with which it was desired to connect the Te Kauri No. - drain, and the opportunity presented itself of the two boards coming to a working arrangement iso that the money now being spent by the Hauraki Board could be spent in such a manner that, work done would coincide with, a bigger scheme in the near future. This was regarded as a necessity, although the iequest might seem premature. The area member of the Hauraki Board was agreeable to the scheme, of improvement. as it would be of great benefit to' his. area. It was therefore ' desirable that the two boards should confer on the matter as soon as possible. Consideration was promised. STOPPAGE OP DRAIN. . Messrs J. C. Miller, junr., and P. L. Hamilton also requested that the board obtain a legal'opinion and act accordingly in regard to a position - that had arisen on the completion by y the Lands Department of a new drain • at the upper end of the Te Kauri No. f 2 drain. Previous to this drain being completed several landowners used as outlets certain boundary = drains between the sections of other landowners, for which privilege certain sums had been paid. It had not been understood that these sums were for the permanent use of the private drains, and now that other outlets had been provided it was desired by the- deputatoinists that the boundary drain be blocked. The other landowners were demanding that the outlet be left open. ■ ' Mr McDuff said he did not see how the board was affected. The settlers should seek private legal advice. The clerk remarked that the question was covered by the Lands Drain- '■■ ■; age Act. ? .. : - The board decided to take no action. SPECIAL AREA DESIRED. Messrs A. H. Rogers, S. S. Murray, and J. Whitmore presented a petition signed by twelve settlers in’which it was asked that a loan be raised over < a special rktirig area comprising the land from Piako Road to Ngataipua Road for the purpose of providing a / direct outlet drain to connect the outdrain running at the back b£ their farms from Whitmore’s back boundary at the Kerepeehi-Kopmirahi road to Hill’s section with the Waihou River. This drain would -require improvement, and about 80 chains of new drain would be required to connect with the Hauraki Board’s drain - known as Taylor’s outlet. The floodgate -would require enlargement. The, estimated cost was in the neighbourhood of £lOOO. The request was promised consideration. ;; NGATEA OUTLET. Mr McDuff reported having interviewed Mr E. Taylor, Lands Drainage Engineer, in regard to the relief of the area near the Ngatea-Kerepeehi road. The engineer had suggested that instead of improving the eisxting drains and duplicating.the flood-gate a new drain be made at the rear of y (he sections fronting Orchard Rast " ■ Road on the southern side. ;