HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5017, 23 August 1926, Page 3

HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

MONTHLI BOARD MEETING. The Horahia Drainage Board met at the, chairman’s residence, Mr F. A. Kneebone presiding over Messrs S. S. Murray, R. L. Davies, J. M. Thompson, J. C. Miller, W. E- Hale, and the clerk, Mr W. E. G. Willy. EXAMPLE OF SELF-HELP. D. J. O’Oaj’rori, Kopuarahi, advised that during the flooding caused by the abnormal tide topping the stop-banks he had taken the responsibility of putting two* outs in the stop-bank to let the water out. It was not possible to get in touch with members of the board. The gaps had been filled at high tides, two men 'being employed. He would be pleased if the board would sanction payments of £1 12s 6d to these men. Mr Hale moved that the account be paid, and that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr O’Carroll, who had done a great deal of; work at 'all -hours of the night for which he had not charged. HP there were more men in the board’s area like Mr O’Carroll the, work of members would be a, pleasure. PIAKO STOP-BANKING. The Chief Drainage Engineer wrote in reply to the board’s inquiry advising; that a vote of £2500*(£2 for £1) ■was' placed on last year’s appropriations for levelling up the stop-banks on the Hauraki Plains a r ea —Gulf and Piako River. A portion of this Amount would be made available to the board, aond it was suggested that the board should prepare plans and estimates and'submit them for approval. The department would be carrying out improvements to the stop-banks from the six-mile peg (near Horahia, Road) southwards, so that the board should now consider- works from that point noithwards. A sum of £7OO (£2 for £l).was available for the board’s, area, butias.the department would be carrying tout a portion of .the work it expected to collect a portion of the vote. Levels were available from the Lands office, and the board’s, engineer was advised to consult the Lands Drainage’Engineer. Under the most favourable conditions spoil should not be won from any point nearer than eight feet from the toe of. the bank. The chairman and Messrs Miller and? Hale were deputed to confer with Mr E. Taylor, with power to act. FENCING, OF DRAINS. Reporting onthe progress of works, the . foreman stated that the contractors! had not been able to complete their work along Mr R. L. Davies’ property, as he had not provided the material for the fence. The contract had included the erection df a sufficient fence to protect the drain with materials which were to be supplied. Mr Davies stated that there was, a single<-wire fence, which had been suf.ficent to keep stock out of the drain. He-had ordered more posts and wires, but Jit had been impossible to cart the posts over the unmetalled road. He desired the board’s contractors to e,rect the single-wire fen'ce, and if that was not sufficient for! the board he would insist on a legal fence. • Members criticised .this as a very bad dttitude for a member of the board to adopt Mr Dayies stated' that when he could get the materials he would erect a three-wire four pcfets to the chain fence, but if this was not suitable he would insist on a legal fence. It was agreed that the contractor be instructed to re-erect the old fence. W. Greenway wrote advising that the. board had not carried out the conditions under which he had allowed the Willow drain to be enlarged through his land. The fence had not Ijeen completed and the spoil bank had not been graded back. The overseer stated that the cohtra'ct had not yet been completed. Mr -L. Mahktelow wrote in reply to the board’s ‘ demand that a drain through his land be fenced and advised that there was. no stock on the farm, but the fencing would be done before the farm was stocked. Considerable correspondence ' from the Hauraki Drainage Board'and several Government departments relative to the fencing of portion of the willow drain<werte 'received from the clerk of the Hauraki Board, who advised that he was sick and tired of the whole matter, which had been dragging on for years. Beyond dealing with a portion of the letter dealing with some fencing that was not in dispute no action was taken. “ - Mr T. Wheeler wrote on July 21 deimanding that the board have a fence re-erected within seven days, otherwise he would charge the cost to the board, and take proceedings to recover damages if any of his stock werto lost. The clerk reported that the fence had been held up by a few ti-tree. sticks and it could hot be replaced. The overseer had been sent to do what was possible. ; A BLOCKED DRAIN. A. Chatfield and three other settlers whose lands front the KerepeehiWharepoa road wrote calling attention to the inadequacy of the outlet drains provided. Suggestions were made that the leap money allocated for the roadside drains should be expended as soon as it was available, than an outlet be provided into the Mongahui drain, which should be continued through to Wairau- Road, and that the board should refrain from blocking the drain between the respective properties of Messrs H. Innes and R. L. Dayies and keep, the drain iji good order. Mr "<T. M. Thompson said that he did not see why the writers were objecting to the blockage o|f the drain. He understood that the board had been unanimous, in having the drain blocked. ;

Mr R. L. Davies disagreed and said that he had dis.cussed the blockage only when the whole scheme was completed. He asked if any man would agree to the blockage of one of his outlets. Considerable argument ensued between'Messrs Thompson and Davies. Mr Thompson asserted that Mr Davies opposed everything he brought forward for the benefit of the southern area. Never before had he beep called a liar. Mr Davies said that if the block was

put in he would dig a, drain on his land around the dam.

Members agreed-that he could not do this without the permission of the bbjard, and a chorus of “I can,” ‘‘You can’t” ensued.

Mr Miller thought that enlarging the Wharepoa ferry corner culvert would relieve the situation. The whole trouble was due to the water that came through the Waira,u Road culvert, and the. solution would be to send the water from east of the Kere-peehi-Wharepoa road to the Piako River via the Racecourse drain, and the water to the Waihou River through the Monganui drain. Mr Thompson said that by improvthe Racecourse drain the situation would be improved a little, but not sufficiently.

After considerable discussion Mr Milley suggested that the board members visit the locality. Mr Thompson moved that the drain on the eastern side of the road be improved from the Turua-Netherton road.

It was pointed out that the, drain was a dual-controlled outlet, and it was unlikely that any arrangement could be arrived at with the Hauraki Board in view of the prOfepect of amalgamation. The same position applied to the projected connection with Monganui drain, which was wholly in the Hauraki area.

After more-discussion Mr Thompson moved, and Murray seconded, that the blockage be replaced in the Innes,Davies drain at the same place as before.

As, an amendment Mr Davies moved that the blockage be. not, made until such time as the whole drainage scheme was in operation.

This lapsed for want Of a seconder, and the motion w.as carried, Mr Davies- dissenting a,nd promising to dig a drain round the dam on his own property. In view of the approach of the commission between the two boards further consideration was deferred until the next meeting. RACECOURSE DRAIN. The Lands Drainage Engineer wrote agreeing to the acceptance of the tender for the Racecourse drain and seating that the department would pay half the cost# The work has been commenced. DUAL DRAINS. At the request df Mr Thompson the secretary was, instructed to point out to the Hauraki Board that several trees had fallen over the Te Kauri and Willow dual-controlled drains. A TIMELY PROTEST. Mr F. Loader waited upon the board for the purpose of objecting to the proposal to enlarge and utilise the drain between his section and Mr Greenway’s, as in his opinion it would cause more harm than good and would injuriously affect his farm. Mr Davies, said that the project was a very long way off. It had been proposed to construct the drain, but as Mr Greenway had objected tojiis land being utilised the zig-zag drain had been improved as ah alternative,. Mr Loader said that he was glad to hear it. Those who had previously opposed the project were, now advocating it, and he w,’as entering his objection at this, early stage to save the board trouble.

Members assured Mr Loader that there was nothing to worry him. The matter was- a long way off, and there was no money available, KERELEEHI ROADSIDE DRAIN.

Mr Thotaipson’ a.s : ked if the roadside drain could be graded from the Louch-McDuff drain inlet towards BarribdiUl’s .and Greenway's,

The clerk said that money was, available.

Mr Thompson was given power to act in conjunction with the overseer.

TOWNSHIP DRAINS.

A request for the cleaning of the roadside drains iji the Kerepeehi township was voiced by Mr Thompson a,t the instance of the Ratepayers’ Association. '' , Members pointed out that it would establish a dangerous precedent. The land was classed B, as the country was a watershed and provision had to be made; elsewhere for the hill country water. To meet the request would mean the spending of many pounds, for which as many shillings in I'aites were collected. Mr Thompson considered that if drainage was to be given no rates should be collected. It was agreed to defer the matter until the next meeting. KOPUARAHI RELIST. Mr Hale asked that the overseer report on the improving of the Kopuarahi Road south-side drain with a view to' .granting relief to the land which was liable toi flooding at every small shower of rain. The work could hot be dp ne until the spring. Messrs Miller and Hale were empowered to act. TAIPARA’S OUTLET. . Authority was given to purchase posts and wire for fencing the new outlet through Taipara’s; The overseer reported that the flood-gate was working satisfactorily. Mr Murray reported that the contractor hoped to complete the excavation in a week. The improving of the continuation of the drain wasjeft to Messrs Miller, Murray, and the overseer to deal with. FINANCE. The payment during the month of progress payments to contra-ctoHs totalling £1053 18s was approved, and accounts totalling £146 9s 9d on. the loan accouht and Wt 0s lid on the general account were passed for payment.