HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5111, 6 April 1927, Page 4

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

UNITED BOARDS MEET. DOAN SCHEME AMENDED. The members of the now non-exist-ent Hauraki ami Hprahia Drainage Beards met at Turua on Monday as a united board to administer the combined districts until the election of the new board. All the trustees were present with the exception of Mr RL. Davies. Messrs J. E. Green and W. E. G. Willy, clerks of the two boards, were also present. As there had not been any provision in the Act for the calling together of the joint trustees, though provision had been made for the joint trustees carrying on until the election of the new board, Mr Willy reported having wired to the Internal Affairs Department, which had replied on Saturday last as follows : — “Replying your telegram to-day’s date, in absence of specific provision best course would be for each board to-day to summon trustees for joint meeting next Monday. If too late to adopt this course, suggest that chairmen act in concert and summon trustees to meeting on Monday. Although above suggestions are not specifically authorised by the Act, it would seem they are reasonable methods of overcoming the difficulty. If, however, you think of a better solution there is no objection to you acting thereon.’-’ The meeting had been arranged by mutual consent when a committee of each board met on other business on Wednesday last. CHAIRMANSHIP. Nominations for the position of chairman of the United Board were called for by Mr Willy. Mr J. Mules nominated Mr F. A. Kneebone, and there being no further nominations Mr Kneebone was declared the first chairman. In returning thanks Mr Kneebone urged all setcions to pull together for the common good. Mr Willy explained that it was not intended by the Act that the present board should initiate any new work or formulate any policy, but merely to carry on until the first board was elected. Mr Heappey said it was desirable that the present employees of both boards should be temporarily reappointed until the new board came into office. It was therefore decided that the two clerks and the overseer be reappointed until April 30. PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS. In reply to Mr Kneebane. Mr Mules said that the late Hauraki Board had not made any .arrangements with its contractors to wait for their money until the new board came into being. Mr Gray voiced the opinion that there would not be any need to pay accounts this month. It was suggested .that cheques be signed by two trustees, but it was pointed out that cheques had to be signed by the treasure]- and countersigned by a trustee. It was therefore decided that Mr W. E. G. Willy be the temporary treasurer, and that the cheques be countersigned either- by Mr F. A. Kneebone or Mr G. Gray. The secretary was instructed to procure a common seal for the new board. The manner of operating on the banking Account was discussed, and the chairman and secretary were instructed to interview the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, which had been appointed bankers for the new board. URGENT WORKS. Mr Willy reported that the Horania Board’s foreman had been given authority to let tenders for certain cleaning jobs. Mi- Heappey and Mr G. Gray reported that so far they had not let contracts for important works in their districts. Mi- Heappy was given authority to let a contract for the Monganui outlet, Messrs. Gray, Hall, an J the overseer were given authority to arrangefor tlie clearing of the Tower’s outlet, and the overseer was instructed to, inspect the work now being undertaken on the Te Kauri No. 2 drain. TE KAURI NO. 2. The chairman, Mr F. A. Kneebone, mentioned i the unexpended Government grant of £2OO authorised for improving the bottom end of the’ Te Kauri No. 2 outlet The time was now opportune for having the work carried out. After discussing the matter the joint board decided that the clerk (Mr W. Willy) endeavour to ascertain if the money was still available for the widening of the drain between the Turua-Netherton road and the Waihou River. The drain would widened by removing two feet from each bank. CENTRAL DISTRICT LOAN. The matter of carrying on the negotiations for the construction of the floodgate on the Thames Valley outlet and the construction of the drains included in the loan scheme was mentioned by Mr Heappey, who advocated that a committee be appointed for the purpose. Mr Green reported that he had forwarded the plans, etc., of the floodgate to the Public Works Department, and had formally applied for the use of a dredge as instructed l>y the committee of the two hoards.

In reply tc< Mr McMillan the chairman stated that the size of the drain had not been definitely decided, though the committee had agreed to a 30 foot top, narrowing down to 18 feet at the back end. Mr McDuff expressed the opinion that a drai fthaon teughbesaidtho that a drain of that size was “altogether over the fence.”

This provoked a long discussion on the merits of the committee’s decision, there being a sharp difference of opinion between members who accused each other of electioneering. Discussions and decisions made over a long period were recalled and an amended proposal by Mr Kneebone for improving the Willow drain was not generally supported, although taere was a strong section in favour of remodelling the proposal on which the two loans had been raised. Mr McMillan asked if the discussion was in order, or if it should be left to the new board.

Mr Heappey said that plans been submitted to the department ftnd an application made for the use of a dredge. If the proposal was to be radically altered the plans and the application should be withdrawn. The chairman said that the new board was not bound to. instal the flood-gates, even if the plans were approved.

Mr Hale said that it was foolish to ask the department to expedite the approval of the plans unless the board was prepared to go on with the proposal. Mi- Hamilton asked whether the ratepayers who had sanctioned the loans would not have grounds for complaint if the scheme of works was radically altered. At the request of Mr Gray the ratepayers’ petition asking for the raising of the Huirau Road Orchard East Area special loan was read by MiGreen, who. explained that sundry minor alterations had been made with the consent of the ratepayers.

Mr Gray pointed out that the Hora■hia Board had promised to find the balance of the money required over and above the £lOOO to be found by the Hauraki settlers. In this connection the Willow drain had not been mentioned.

Mr McMiHaji expressed the opinion that as the amount of, money available liad increased with the receipt of authority for subsidy over and above that expected, the amount of work proposed had also been increased.

The Chairman . Suppose Mr Heappey : Suppose we keep faith with the ratepayers.

Mr McMillan considered that while this was desirable it should not be binding if the board could give equal facilities by another method and at less cost.

As a test motion Mr Hale moved that the Te Kauri No. 1 drain proposal be modified, and that the Willow drain from the road be laid back to a one-to-one batter on the southern side..

Pressed for particulars of the modifications in the Te Kauri No. 1 proposal! Mr'Hale agreed to incorporate in his motion the details that the drain be 30ft wide at the flood-gate, 20ft at Clark’s corner, and 16ft at tiie old boundary between the two drainage districts. The motion was seconded by Mr S. S. Murray. "

Mr Kneebone returned to the attack in favour of enlarging the Willow drain and constructing a new cut across Messrs Bayliss’ and Dean’s sections. This, in his opinion, would, give better drainage facilities for the area affected.

' Mr McMillan asked if all members were satisfied with the dimensions mentioned for the Te Kauri No. 1. Mr McDuff favoured a further reduction and Mr Hamilton opposed the suggested reduction. Mr McMillan pointed out that the saving in cost by the proposed reduction in size of the Te Kauri No. 1 would be sufficient to improve the Willow drain as much as was desired. The motion was put to the meeting and carried on the voices.

Mr Heappey desired his vote recorded against the proposal, as he did not agree that the board had any authority to go beyond'the wishes of the ratepayers. It was decided that the committee which had previously dealt with the matter be given authority to carry out the wishes of the joint board. The two. clerks were authorised to carry on the negotiations for the raising of the Hauraki Board’s £lOOO special loan. MINISTERIAL VISIT. Mr McMillan asked if there were any matters, to be brought before either of the Cabinet Ministers on their visit to the Plains next week. Mr Gray stated that they should be approached concerning the fescue menace. THE PUMPIN GLOAN. Mr Willy saked for authority to confer with Mr E. L. Walton regarding the proposed loan for installing pumps in a special rating area near Orchard East Road.—Granted.