HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5120, 2 May 1927, Page 4

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

UNITED BOARD MEETING. MUCH IMPORTANT BUSINESS. The Haui’aki United Drainage Board held its first meeting on Friday last. Members present were: Messrs W. McDuff, S. S. Murray, J. M. Thompson, F. A. Kneebone, J. C. Miller, H. H. Hicks, and F. L,’Hamilton. The returning officer (Mr W. E. G>. NVi.Hy) presided, and called for nominations for the position of chairman. Mr Hicks nominated Mr S. S. Murray, and Mr F. L, Hamilton seconded. Mr F. A. Kneebone was nominated by Messrs Thompson and McDuff.

Speaking to the nominations Mr J. C, Miller said that members .should realise that they were not now members of the Horahia Board —they'represented the whole Hauraki. United district. He was sorry there was not some representative of the old Hauraki district. Mr Murray was a Turua man, well qualified for the position, and more in touch with the late Hauraki district than any other member. He therefore urged that Mr Murray be appointed for the sake of amicable working.

Mr F. A. Kneebone supported Mr Murray’s nomination, and desired iris own nomination to be withdrawn. Messrs McDuff and Thompson agreed to this. Mr Kneebone had been nominated because he had been chairman of the late Horahia Board.

There being no further nominations Mr Willy declared Mi' S. S. Murray the first chairman of the Hauraki United Drainage Board. Returning thanks, Mr Murray expressed regret that the Hauraki district had no direct representation. It was therefore up to every member to do what he could for the Hauraki distic t. THE CLERKSHIP. The next matter was the appointment o (.officers. In connection with the clerkship Mr Miller suggested that the board fix the salary and call applications for the position. This was supported by other members, and after some discussion it was decided that a salary of £3 10s a week be offered. In the meantime Messrs Green and Willy would carry on. Mr W. E. G. Willy was appointed the board’s returning officer, and Mr E. Flavell was temporarily reappointed foreman. CLASSIFICATION OF LAND. Mr Willy pointed oilt that before the board could strike a rate it would have to classify the- land in its area. In reply to Mr Hamilton M ! r Willy explained that it was the board which classified the land. It could depute its powers to a classifier and give, him a lead as to the method to be adopted, though it should not give him definite instructions. Mr J. C. Miller moved that Mr W. E. G. Willy be appointed the board’s classifier at a salary of. £25, plus £2 2s a day for Court work. Seconded by Mr Knee.bone and carried. LEGAL ADVISER. On the motion of Messrs McDuff and Hamilton Mr E. L. Walton was appointed the board’s legal adviser. SUBDIVISION OF AREA. Mr Willy pointed out that for the purpose- of deciding what stationery was needed it was necessary to decide whether the district was to be divided into wards. Mr McDuff asked whether subdivision was necessary. The whole area could be administered as one. Mr J. C. Miller moved that the. area be subdivided into wards. Seconded by Mr Kneebone-

Mr Hamilton asked if tlie subdivision was only for election purposes. He thought it would be preferable; to work the district as one, and strike a general maintenance rate and pay for all maintenance out of one general account.

Advocating the policy of a general maintenance account instead of ward accounts Mr Hamilton pointed out that some areas already ha.tl so many large and essential outlet drains that the maintenance rate would be oppressive. unless spread over the whole district.

Mr J. Cl Miller pointed out the obvious disadvantages of the proposal. Mr Hicks urged that the matter be deferred until more information was available. Mr McDuff supported Mr Hicks.

Asked his opinion, Mr Green said that the, crux of the matter was the boundaries of the wards. The divisions could be made with the idea of making the- maintenance charges about equal. He also pointed out tnat the amendment to the Act allowing the, area to be cut into wards had been secured by drainage boards, after a very long- and hard fight. It was decided to defer the matter. FOREMAN. The question of appointing a foreman of works was discussed. It was agreed that applications should be called for the, position. After some discussion it was decided that application be called for a full-time working foreman at a wage of £312 a year, the- applicant to provide himself with motor locomotion. WINDING UP. Mr Hicks moved that the board’s solicitor be instructed to wind up the affairs of the two defunct boards, and obtain a list of all engagements, liabilities, and assets and submit a statement showing the position as soon as possible;. also that the respective- secretaries draw up a statement showing the separate positions of the. late boards since March 31 and place the same, together wi.th all document, seals, contracts, moneys, bank books, etc., in the hand of the board’s solicitor not later than May 10. Mr J. E. Green’ explained that the balance-sheets to March 31, -when audited, together with- the books, etc., of the two defunct boards, would be sufficient. The motion was carried. APPRECIATION! OF SERVICES. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands, acknowledged receipt of the Horabia Drainage' Board’s letter expressing appreciation of the work of

Mr E. Taylor, district drainage engineer. It was always a pleasure to receive complimentary references, especially from local bodies, regarding the work of officers of Government Departments, and he was forwarding a copy to Mr E. Taylor foi his information. RACECOURSE DRAIN. The lands drainage engineer, Mr E. Taylor, wrote advising that the Lands Department would bear half the cost of cleaning the Racecourse drain, Kerepeehi, estimated at £ll ss. SUBSIDY ON PUMPS. Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Ohinemuri, forwarded a reply received from the Minister of Lands to the Horahia Board’s application for a subsidy on a proposed loan for the installation of an electrically driven pumping plant. A report had been received from his advisory officers against the application. Machinery was not a permanent asset, and was of no value unless the necessary power and finance were available to keep it in operation. The proposition was largely of an experimental nature, and from the information available did not appear to meet the full requirements of. an efficient scheme. It was worthy of mention that the chief drainage engineer did not agree that the Piako River was now less efficient as a drainage outlet than formerly. He considered that the- river improvement works were ha-ving the effect of depressing tae low-water level and quickly discharging the flood-waters. Tn the circuinstances it was regr-etted that tho i equest for a subsidy could not be favourably received. LOAN WORKS. The foreman (Mr E. Flavell) reported verbally at great length on the progress of the annual maintenance work. The Ngataipua roadside drain work was progressing satisfactorily, but generally the other work was behind-hand on account of the amount of water. The Shellbank drain would be completed in a few days, but the Piako roadside south side drain had not yet been let. This was the only drain for which a contract had not been let. Many contractors were held up on account of the- slowness of other workers. The foreman was instructed to use every endeavour to expedite'the fencing and cleaning works. DATE OF MEETINGS. It was decided that the monthly meetings be -held in the Turua Buildings, Turua, on the third Friday in eftch month. WILLOW DRAIN. Mr Willy pointed out that if the work proposed to be done on the Willow drain was to- be carried out soon it was necessary to take steps to have the willow trees removed. There was power under the Act whereby tne hoard could serve notice on the landowner to remove the trees within 28 days, failing which the board could do the. work and claim the cost from the landowner. Mr Kneebone expressed the opinion that the board should not adopt such a drastic attitude. The landowner should be given notice that it was the board’s intention to improve, the drain. Mr Kneebone advocated that instead of improving the whole of the Willow drain a new drain should be made across the corner. Members pointed out that the two boards in conference had decided on the work to be done, and the United Board was morally bound to carry out the pork, particularly as there was no Hauraki representative on the board. It was decided that Mr Bayliss be given notice that it was the. board s intention to remove the trees and improve the Willow drain. PENALTY ON RATES. The ten per cent, penalty i n the old Hauraki Board’s outstanding rates will be applied about the. end of May. The penalty was added to the old Horahia Board’s rates some time ago. TE KAURI LOAN WORK. The- clerk was instructed to write urging the urgent approval of the plans and specifications for the Te Kauri loan scheme. Instructions were also given to again make representations to the Government for the use of a dredge. TOUR OF DISTRICT. It was agreed that the board members should make a tour of the Hauraki district as sooon as possible. FLUMING OUTLETS. Tenders were to be called for fluming with timber 20 chains of, the out* let on Miller’s drai.n, Shellbank drain, and Kneebone’s drain.