HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5091, 21 February 1927, Page 4

HORAHIA DRAINAGE.

MEETING OF BOARD. The February meeting of the Hora)hia Drainage Board was. held at Turua cm Thursday, Mr F. A. Kneebone presiding over Messrs J. C. Miller, W. E. Hale, J. M. Thompson, W. McDuff, R. L. Davies, S. S. Murray, and the clerk (Mr W. E. G. Willy). PIAKO STOP-BANKING. The lands drainage engineer, Kerepeehi, wrote advising that the survey in connection with the proposed Piako River stop-bank improvements had been completed. The board’s request that the work be undertaken by the Lands Department had been 'forwarded to the chief drainage engineer, who had advised _that a requisition had been sent forward for the £7OO subsidy (£2 far £1) allocated for stopbank improvements in the Horahia area. On receipt of authority to operate on this account, and on payment o'f the board’s contribution, the work would be undertaken by the department.

The estimated cost o'f raising and improving the stop-bank from the Shellbank flood-gate to the Orcmgo block, excluding the Maioro block, was £lOOO, and the board’s contribution was one-third of this amount.

Usually conditions were most suitable for such, work in late autumn, and it was suggested tihat the financial arrangements should be completed so that the work could commence next April.

The clerk stated that the board’s contribution could be paid at any time.

It was decided to inform the department accordingly, and that the board was agreeable to the work being commenced as soon as possible. STOP-BANK DRAINS. In a further letter it was stated tihat in connection with the stopbanking work it was proposed to reconstruct the stop-bank drain approximately one chain inland fr°m the present drain on the river frontage of the Horahia block occupied by Mr W. Johnstone. To avoid the necessity of continuing this drain through the township subdivision fronting Orchard East, Road, the construction of a 3ft diameter pipe flood-gate at the outlet of the road drain wtrf suggested. By this arrangement there would be no connection between the stop-bank drain and the road d'rain, and possibly this might not meet the wislhcs of the settlers, who, it was understood intended to instal a pump in the vicinity.

The board’s views on the matter were therefore desired, and it was also necessafy to know if. in the event of a' new flood-gate being decided on, the board would agree to the cost, estimated to be £l'so, being a charge against the subsidy gr’anted to tne board.

The construction of the flood-gate could be put in hand as soon as these matters were decided, and it might oe possible to design the structure to facilitate the installation of a pump if so desired. A committee comprising Messrs Kneebone, McDuff, and Willy was appointed to confer with the drainage engineer with reference to the floodgate, with power to act. ORCHARD EAST OUTLETS. J. C. Miller, junr., and F. L. Hamilton,, Orchard East Ro,ad settlers, forwarded a long letter of complaint. Attention was drawn to the unsatisfactory state of the Willow drain, due to inefficient cleaning. An explanation was desired as to the reason for tihe delay in the Te Kauri No. 1 and Willow outlet improvements, and inquiry was made as to the date of receipt of .the engineer’s report on “certain contentious matters.” The advantage of utilising scoops and graders in the Te Kauri Nos. 1 and 2 during the dry weather was pointed out, and the fact that the grant fcir the Te Kauri No. 2 would cease to exist by March 31 was stressed. It was decided to inform the writers that the board was moving as rapidly as possible in the matter cf the Thames Valley flood-gate. The clerk was instructed ta get Mr J. N. Anderson to work out the quantities from his data for the Thames Valley outlet, which would be 30ft wide at the top 'from tihe flood-gate to Clarke’s corner and then 18ft top to the Hor.ahia Board’s boundary. Tire bottom would be 2ft wide, and the depth at the flood-gate Bft. In regard to the “contentious matter” on which an engineer was tp re-

port, the clerk reported that he had spoken to the engineer nominated and explained the position, but had also explained that his appointment was to be made by the Hauraki Beard. Possibly this had not been done, as there was a suggestion of lack of confidence in the engineer nomijiatcd by the two boards in conference.

It was decided that if Mr Anderson could undertake the Thames Valley outlet work the Horahia Board would, on its own, instruct Mr E. F. Adams to report on the matter Of the rival routes of the outlets for the Orchard East Road area.

In reply to Mr Hale the chairman said that. apparently the Hauraki Board was content to let the Harahia Board carry on .with the whole matter. It, had been asked verbaliy to .appoint a committee to-act with the Horahia Board’s committee, but nothing had been done. It was,, decided that .the request be made in writing.

At, a later stage a letter was received from the Hauraki Board advising that the necessary signatures to the petition asking t,hat a loan be raised had been obtained, and the matter was being expedited. WHAREPOA ROAD DRAINS. The matter of improving the section of the Wharepoa roadside drains wit,hin the Hauraki Board’s area was brought up by Mr Davies, who pointed out that the winter was approaching and it would be useless for trie Horahia Board to improve its section ■;f the drain without the outlet receiving attention. The Hauraki Board should be approached immediately. Messrs Miller and Hale pointed out that the back section could be commenced. Mr McDuff moved, and Mr Murray seconded, that the work o'f improving both Wharepoa roadside drains in the. Horahia district be commericed at once, the details being left to Messrs R. L. Davies, J. M. Thompson, and E-. Flavell (foreman). BRIDGING ROAD DRAINS. As a matter of policy it was recorded in the minutes tihat where any bridge or culvert required alteration through the widening or deepening of roadside drains the work must be done at the landowner’s expense. RACECOURSE DRAIN. The chairman asked if any improvement could be made to the racecourse drain. Mr Thompson detailed several suggestions and pointed out the urgency of the work. From April 1 the Elstow Dia.inage Board would be liable to coCntribute to the maintenance as tne Government had done in the past. It was decided to approach the Elstow Board on the matter.

JOHNSTONE’S DRAIN CONTRACT,

At the January meeting of the board instructions were given that the contractor for Jcihnstone’s. drain was tei be given three days’ notice that work must be recommenced. The contractor is a Maori, and his reply wak unsatisfactory.

The foreman reported that the work could be continued if proper methods were adopted.

The chairman said that the position was very unsatisfactory. The contratco'r had broken his contract several times, and did not want to work.

It was decided to defer the matter until the next meeting, by which time the month’s notice would (have lapsed and the contract could be cancelled. FENCING OF DRAINS. The foreman reported at length on the 'fencing of drains. Several settlers who had been given notice had not ma'de a start with their fencing. Members commented that an example would have to be made, and the clerk was instructed to take certain action. PIPE CROSSINGS. Messrs F. A. Kneebone and J. <"■. Miller were granted permission ta replace roadside bridges with concrete culverts. ANNUAL CLEANING. The clerk was instructed to call tenders for the annual cleaning of drains. Tenders will close on March 16DATE OF MEETING. In view of the fact that the next meeting date was March 17, the date of the Paeroa races, it was decided to hold the meeting on Wednesday, March 16.