HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4860, 3 August 1925, Page 2

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

— MEETING OF BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Hauraki Drainage Board was held at Turua on Friday last, Mr G. Gray presiding over Messrs- D. G. McMillan, R. H. Heappey, J. Mules, and R. H. Baker. The clerk, Mr J. E. Green, and the foreman, Mr J. McConnell, were present. FOREMAN’S REPORT. Mr J. McConnell reported that he could not inspect the Thames Valley outlet owing to the amount of water. He was of opinion that the best way to provide an additional outlet would be to cut a hole above the existing ga-e and fit a. second gate. The cast would not be great, and it would give the relief required in flood time. The work could be done at any time, wherea'. the duplication of the existing gate could not be carried but at this season of the year owing to the amount of water in the drain and the impossibility of diverting it. It was not feasible to do the work except in midsummer. By his method the work should be done for £lO.

Members commented favourably qu the suggestion, and the board inStrilcted the foreman to do the work and improve the outlet outside the gate. JUBILEE OUTLET. Mr J. Mules reported that after consulting the chairman he had authorised an extra cut in the Jubilee outlet flood-gate and the fitting of a temporary flood-gate similar to that advocated for the Thames Valley outlet by the foreman. The extra outlet had given great relicf.-“Actiou approved. CARE OF FLOOD-GATES. An offer was received from Buckthought Bras, to undertake the care of the flood-gates at Daily’s outlet and the Thames Valley outlet until Maj--31, 1926, for £2 each.— Accepted. REMOVAL OF BRIDGE. Mr T. J. Scott wrote asking that the bo.ard remove a bridge across the Willow outlet to his section to another position, as iu its present position and state it was causing a certain amount of obstruction to the flow of water. Mr Baker pointed, out that Mr Scott had suffered very much by the taking of the drain through his section. The drain was over 25ft wide, and the bridge required erecting on piles. The case was an exceptinoal one, and the action of the board if it granted the request could not be qubted as a precedent. -The widening of the drain had been done for the benefit of the Horahia Board’s area, and it should contribute towards the cost.. The cost and the manner of doing the work were discussed, and it was suggested by Mr Green that a trussed bridge be erected. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Mr Baker, but the contribution of the board was only to include the piles and sheathing, and part of the labour. NGATAIPUA DRAIN. Tlie clerk of the Horahfa Drainage Board wrote confirming the arrangement between Messrs G. Gray and W. E. Hale concerning the removal of slips in the Ngataipua roadside drain. Mr Gray reported that two days’ work had been done and the worst of the slips removed. This was the arrangement finally arrived at, as the Horahia Board had expected the work to be done much cheaper than was possible. REMOVAL OF FENCES. Mr A. J. Heasman wrote asking the board to finish putting back the fence along the Thames Valley drain where . it passed through his section. Part of the work had been done, but along portion of the drain the fence was too close since the drain had been battered, and stock were causing slips to occur. When the drain had been widened bn a previous occasion he had removed the fence at his own. expense. The matter was referred to Mr Baker, with power to act. NEW FLOOD-GATES. It was reported that a contractor had constructed several new floodgate doors. It was decided that several of these be need to replace broken concrete doors, and that instructions be given to construct more as spares for use iu case of emergency. NEW WORK. The application of Mr Baker to have an improved drain constructed on the boundary of Messrs Spence and McCormick’s, sections to connect with t their private flood-gate was approved, it being pointed out that this work, which would be done when finances permitted, would give much-needed relief to some very heavily rated settlers. WHAREPOA CULVERT. Mr D. G. McMillan pointed out tnat the rest of the culvert pipes at the Wliarepba Road corner could not be laid until the drain was cleaned. At the present time there was about 2ft 6in of dead water, and this could be released by a couple of days’ work. However, the Horahia Board seemed reluctant to do the work. It was decided that the Horahia Board be approached on the matter. TE KAURI DRAIN. It was decided to ask the Lands Department to utilise some of the money it had on hand for the fencing of tne Te Kauri No. 2 drain where this was not done and to erect fluming outside the flood-gate. FENCING OF DRAINS. The clerk was instructed to notify settlers to erect fences on drain banks. ACCOUNTS. The meeting closed at 6.15 p.m., after the accounts for work and goods had been passed for payment.

life: