HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5066, 17 December 1926, Page 3

HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

MEETING OF BOARD. Tlie Horahia Drainage Board met at Turua yesterday, Mr F. A. Kneebone presiding over Messrs W. McDuff, R. L. Davies, S. S. Murray, W. E. Hale, J. C. Miller,. J. M. Thompson, and the clerk (Mr W. E. G. Willy). SUBSIDY. The Minister of'Lands advised that the board’s application for a subsidy, on a schedule; of works estimated to cost £14,000’ to be undertaken had been considered. The chief drainage engineer, in reporting on the. application, stated that improvement to the existing drainage system originally carried out by the department was both desirable and necessary to provide drainage for the private lands, and also* to provide for the increased run-off brought about by the farm development that has t. a ;ke,n place and the construction of subsidiary., drainage works'that had been carried out right throughout the area. 'When this new drainage district was being handed over to local control ’the Hon. W. Nosworthy, without making any- definite promise, stated that application for subsidies would receive every consideration, and grants and subsidies totalling £2400 were appropriated last year and revoted this year. Works estimated to cost £2059 covered by two of these votes were included in the schedule of works estimated to cost £14,000, and in consequence the application for a further subsidy could be considered on the balance of,. £11,941 only. “The* district has Wed well at the hands of the department,” continued the report, “and the settlers have had good value for the prices paid for their lands, and, having regard to the assistance- already given, it is considered that a subsidy on the basis df £1 for £3 on the amount of £11,941 was all that was justified. A subsidy of £l5OO (on account of £3000) was therefore appropriated .this year. The assistance granted to the Horahia Board since it was formed is as follows: Free grant, £2000;' Te Kauri outlet (subsidy £ for- £), £250 ; outlet, dra.in to connect with willow drain ■ (subsidy £ for £) £l5O ; on account of £3OOO (subsidy £ for. £), £150'0.” Mr Hale expressed, the opinion that the £2OOO free grant should not be set against the amount of subsidy. This money was promised as an incentive to the settlers to relieve the. Lands. Department of the control of the area. > Members commented that it was satisfactory to get some explain at ion of the position. UNION OF BOARDS.

In accordance with a request from the Department df Internal Affairs the following resolution; was moved by the chairman and carried:—

“Whereas the Horahia ’ Drainage Boajrd and the Hauraki Drainage Board agree that on the union of the two districts that all special rates made as security for loans-then existing shall continue to be. levied only within the area over which they were 'respectively originally levied, and in order, that such agreement shall in terms of section 16, ,s;ub-section 2, of the Lands Drainage Act, 1908, be binding on the board df the united district, it is resolved that this resolution be entered in the mipute book of eaph respective board, and that a joint'certified copy of this resolution Signed by the chairmen and clerks- of each respective board and sealed with the seals of both board be sent to* the Minister of Internal Affairs, 'ajs- showing that both boards are agreed that such is a condition precedent to such union.” KOPUARAHI FLOODING. Death Bros., Kopuarahi, wrote suggesting that a flap be installed in the -Roadside drain <it James’ southern boundary, arid that the drain be- deepened to divert water down Miller’s drain, thus preventing flooding at the Kopuarahi School corner. ' The proposal was favoured and the request granted. ' FLUMING OUTLETS. The lands drainage engineer at Kerepeehi wrote advising .that lie did not think therei would be .any objection to the unexpended balance of the £2ooo' grant being used for .the purpose of constructing timber fluming in outlets. It was decided to. submit plans and specifications for the work. PIAKO ROAD DRAINS. The matter, df improving the Piako roadside drain from Elvin’s to Hicks/ corner was brought up by Mr Murray, who mentioned that the Hauraki Board would contribute £25. It was decided to accept the offer and have the work put in hand. FENCING OF DRAINS;. Lt was decided to serve final notice fon Messrs L. James, H. Campbell, and J. G. Miller to fence drains through their, properties.