HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4945, 1 March 1926, Page 3

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The regular meeting of the Hauraki Drainage Board was held at Tuma on Friday, Mr G. Gray presiding over the following: D. G. R. Baker, J. Mules, R. H. Heappey, a ; nd J. E. Green (clerk). THAMES VALLEY OUTLET. Mr Baker reported .that he had discussed the grading back of the spoil 'from the Thames V, alley Outlet with Mr J. McConnell, who’would re--port ,to tjhe board. Mr McConnell, reported that the N.Z. Roadsi Co. wa/8 prepared to supply a tractor and grader for' th© purpose at 7s 6d an hour. It was agreed to hire the grader for the work, and that Mr McConnell superintend the work., REBATE ON RATES. The clerk reported that, several ratepayers had, when forwarding their cheques for rates, deducted 5 per cent., on the assumption that they were entitled to this if the rates were paid within 30 days from due date, and that the due date was 14 days ’from the date of the demand. The position was that rates should be paid within -14 days of the date on the demand, and that the local body, had power to sue for rates unpaid 14 days after the date on the demand. This was seldom done, but the local body had the power. Local bodies also had the power to grajit ai rebate of 5 per cent, of the amount of the general rate paid within 30 days from the date on’ the notice. The 10, per cent, penalty could be imposed six months and 14 days from the date on the demand. FENCING OF DRAINS.

Some 18 months ago the board decided that all its drains should be fenced. It had power under the Fencing Act to compel landowners to contribute half the cost of a, legal fence, but it realised that such a high-class fence was unnecessary, and therefore decided that, if the landowner would erect a three or four-wire fence, the board would supply the wire and not demand a legal fence. Many settlers have taken advantage the - offer, but some have tried to use this to get free, wire from the board. In some rasps settlers have removed existing fences and used the materials, elsewhere on the farm and then applied to the board for wire in the terms of itte offer. One s|uch case has hepn before the board for some ’time, and, though it is" acknowledged that the provisions of the Fencing Act may be erfforced, the ■ board-, realises that a man who would adopt such tactics would not pay without being sued.

’ After considerable discussion it was decided to refer the matter-to the board’s solicitors, who would advise the landowner that, unless the drain was fenced hei would be held, responsible for all the damages. ANNUAL CLEANING. It was decided .that tenders tor the annual cleaning of drains in the board’s area close on March 8, at 5 plm., 'and that a special meeting be held at 8 p.m. to consider them. PIAKO ROAD CULVERT. A letter was; received from the Turua Town Board asking that. the board, in company with the Horahia Drainage Board and the Town Board, to contribute towards the cost of renewing the bridge over the drain at The corner of Pia ; ko, , and Hauraki roads.

Mr McMillan favoured renewing the piles on the western Bide rather than replacing the bridge with a culvert.. , .

Mr Green expressed a doubt as to whether the decking could ba taken up and relaid without damage. Mr Heappey opposed the use of 6ft concrete 'pipes on account of the obstruction to the flow. i Mr Green suggested putting another Stringer under • the existing bridge, which would then be safeYor some years.

t PIAKO ROAD DRAIN. The Horahia Drainage Board wrote confirming the agreement entered into by Mr J. C. Miller and Mr J. Mules to timber about 60 feet, of the drain on the northern side of Piako Road on a 50-50 basis.

Mr Mules said that his area could, not afford .the cost of the work. It w t a$ suggested that halfj-round concrete pipes be utilised, and it was decided to obtain an estimate of the cost. " ■' ■ .