DUAL-CONTROL DRAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4860, 5 August 1925, Page 4

DUAL-CONTROL DRAINS.

HAURAKI AND HORAHIA AREAS. CONCRETE PROPOSALS DESIRED* Negotiations with reference to the administration of the drains in the Hauraki Drainage Board’s area that take the water from the Horahia Boards’ area were advanced a further stage on Friday at the monthly meeting of the former body. This question has been before the two boards for a long time. Prior to the constitution of the Horahia Board a conference was held between the committee, many of whom later became the board. A conference was held 1 between the two boards, and much correspondence was dealt with before the decisions arrived at were ratified, and the result cannot be classed as satisfactory.

The Horahia Board later expressed a wish for a Commission ,to settle the differences, but the Hauraki Board considered that the matter could be settled at less cost and trouble by mutual agreement. This, however, did not meet with the approval of the Horahia Board, which insisted on a Commission.

The Hauraki Board agreed and asked for the order of reference, but on the matter coming - before 'he Horahia Beard it was decided to try the conference first.

On Friday the following letter , was received by the Hauraki Board from the Horahia Board :— “I am directed to point out to you that your are using tne Willow Drain extension for the purpose of unwatering their land, and my Board would ask you to reconsider the matter of maintenance of this drain, seeing that it is of direct benefit to your ratepayers, and we think it only just that you should bear half the cost.

‘‘l am instructed to .ask your Board whether it is agreeable to an ..early conference with my. Board to discuss the question of dual and proposed dual drains (their construction and maintenance). Some definite arrangement must be arrived at soon, and to this end it is desired to confer with your Board before -taking any further steps."

Mr Gray said that in relation to the Willow Drain extension the board had never pay for it, as the drain had been put in for the benefit of the Horahia area. It so happened that the Government put the drain in the Hauraki area becasue this place was the most suitable for the purpose. He had explained this to one of the Horahia Board members, who had stated that it put a different aspect on the question, and had his board or. the majority of the members known the position re request would not have been made.

Mr Gray also stated that he had told the Horahia Board member that it was useless asking for another conference until his board had,.something concrete to lay before the Hauraki Board, and after discussion the'“Horahia Board member had agreed that this was tlie best course/ ,

The matter was discussed at length, and it was pointed out that the board could not contribute to the Willow extension on any .account, as none of its ratepayers used it. One settler was attempting to dp so, but he would probably soon find it useless for the purpose and onlv block his outlet, as in the case of his neighbour. The Horahia, Board seemed to be under a misapprehension as to the true position, which was that prior to tiie Hauraki Board being constituted in 1916' the Government made the drain from the river-westward to its boundaiy and then made the drain known as the extension. When the board came into operations the extension was a small; one, an<® fh very bad order, and there was is® flood-gate at tlie river. The improvement of the drain was included in the board’s comprehensive scheme, and subsequently £7's(l was. spent on improvement work and a flood-gate was installed at a cost of £3OO. A subsidy of £45 was later granted by the Government for- tlie improvement,", and later this sum was increased by £lOO. Up to tli& present the Hauraki Board had spent over £lOOO and had only received £145.' in subsidy, so that it would be seen that while the draip. was, looked, upon as a dual drain, it had not been on an expenditure ba'sis. The board could not continue • to recognise the Willow Drain extension as a dual drain.

i In regard to the request for. a, con- ! ference, it was pointed put th? at little had resulted from tihe prevF O ns conference, and the indicattons* were that the proposed conference: jd als'o be abortive. Until such, ttir jae as the Horahia Board submitted . a definite scheme of dual 'drains,, s’ nowing what new drains were .tote# jade and their exact location, siasfij, awr , a to be benefited, position at? -gates, culverts, bridges, btc. t and! tilb e cost to each board for tbe- constnt cction and maintenance, the Hauraw'ki Board was of thti! opinion that ai conference .would be useless, as no d .efinite cpnclffision could: be arrived at . It was suggested that a 'conference of an informal naLure ’could be held with a view to exp lain ing many .matters and coming tp an understanding of hte various difficulties which confronted each board. No decisions affecting the future should be' arrived’ at, but a round-table talk/, might smooth [matters out better them endless writing. Finally it was decided Mi at the clerk reply to the Horahia -/Board’s letter on the lines of the discussion.