HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5153, 18 July 1927, Page 3

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

HAURAKI UNITED AREA. MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The regular meeting of the Ham aki United Drainage Board wqs held at Turua on Friday last, the chairman (Mr S. S. Murray) presiding over the following: Messrs J. M. Thompson, W. McDuff, F. A. Kpeebone, J. C. Miller, H. H. Hicks, F. L. Hamilton, and the- clerk (Mr T. D. Wallace). TE KAURI No. 1 DRAIN. The board’s engineer, Mr J. N. Anderson, forwarded the plans and specifications for the Tc Kauri No. 1 drain. Mr Miller reported that notice; of motion had been given in the County Council to allow a narrower bridge on Huirau Road. The specifications were discussed at length and ordered to be submitted to the Lands Department for approval. The- clerk reported that two objections to the work had been received. Consideration was deferred until the time in which could be received. BAGNALL’S DRAIN.

Twenty-nine settlers petitioned the board asking for the improvement of Bagnall’s drain and its continuation to the Zig-zag drain. In regard to financing the work, the petitioners pointed but that the Minister of Lands thad promised favourable consideration when a request wag received from the board. Mr Hamilton stated that he had informed the- petitioners that the matter would be considered later on, when money was available. There was no doubt that the work should not be overlooked when the time came. He would not push the matter at the present time. Mr Thompson asked why Mr E. F. Adams had not reported on the merits of the proposition. Mr Hamilton said he understood tha„t Mr Adams was’ waiting until data was available from Mr Anderson.

Mr Thompson stated that he would not now oppose the suggested Bagnall's drain. There was no doubt that improved facilities were necessary. Other members voiced support for the suggested outlet at such time as funds were available. MONGANUI DRAINAGE.

A deputation, comprising Messrs G. Fisher and J. Handley, waited upon the board and asked for improvements to the Monganui outlet. The sill of the flood-gate was>. top high, and a blockage was necessary where the outlet crossed the roadside drain. Members considered the request® reasonable, but decided to otbain a report. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The foreman, Mr E. Fl.avell, reported having inspected the drain fences in the area- A lengthy report of fencing and repairs necessary was submitted.

Reporting on the work of the month the foreman advised that pipes had been put in at Markham’s crossing, slips had been removed from drains at Turua, Towers, Carter’s Corner, Taylor’s outlet, Kopuarahi- Kerepeehi roadside. Zig-zag, and Willow Tree. The work on the Kopuarahi wharf flood-gate would be- completed this week. The work on the Jubilee drain- could not be completed on account of the amount of water. Twenty-two chains of Price’s drain had been cleaned at 3s. The fencing of this drain was proceeding satisfactorily, and should be finished in a few days. The putfall from Daily’s and the Daily-Tasker flood-gate had been cleaned. Most of the flood-gates were working satisfactorily. The foreman attended on the board and discussed matters at length. He reported that Mr L. James had cut the Piako River stop-bank, and therewas a serious danger of flooding in .the event-of the river rising. In addition, James’ cattle were allowed on the stop-bank.

The foreman was instructed to report immediately to the chairman, who was given authority to require James to repair the stop-bank and fences within 24 hours if the position was a 1? serious as was thought. CLASSIFICATION.

Mr G. Gray wrote to the chairman on behalf pf the majority of the ratepayers of the old Hauraki area who were objecting to the classification of land for rating purposes, asking if the board would meet a. small committee for the purpose of discussing the objections with a view to saving the cost of Court action.

The chairman reported having asked for an indication of. the plans of the committee, and Mr Gray had telephoned advising that the objectors had decided to take the matter to court. HEARING -OF OBJECTIONS.

The clerk of the Magistrate’s Court, j Thames:, wrote advising that the hearing of objections to the classification of land would be- heard at the Court on July 21. Members commented that the cases ; would not be heard until the July 26The action bf the chairman in in- i structing *fr E. Walton to watch the ’board’s interests at the Assessment Court was confirmed. HAURAKI BOARD’S FINANCES. The manager of the Bank of New' Zealand, Thames, advised that the amount required to be deposited to enable the Hauraki Drainage Board’s account to be closed was £606 9s 7d, being the balance of £595 16s 7d, plus interest £lO 13s. INTEREST ON LOAN. The manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Thames asked that a cheque for £lBO be forwarded to meet six. months’ interest on the £15,500 loan. The clerk reported that the amount had been paid. GOVERNMENT MONEY. The Public Works Department advised having forwarded' a cheque foi £485 9s to the board’s ’a.ccotint in respect of work done. on drain improvements. FINANC®. The clerk reported that since the last meeting rates col lected amounted to £lB7 18s 11 d. Most of tlhis sllm was from the old HauraJii area as a result of the impositii'm of the penalty.

The arrears totalled £673 14s 7d in the old Hauraki area and £563 Cs 9d in the Horahia area.

The payment of accounts totalling £1499 16s .Id was approved, and accounts totalling £589 6s 8d were passed for payment when funds permitted-

The bank overdraft was* £1513 13s-i lOd, thus there was only £486 6s 2d available to meet all demands. The general account had advanced the loan account £2BOO-odd until the loan money became available. The position in regard to this was that the United Board was not able to touch the late Horahia and Hauraki boards’ loan money until such time a.~, enabling legislation was passed by Parliament or a pronouncement was made by the- Supreme Court authorising the bank to honour the old board’s loan authorities.

Lengthy correspondence with the Minister of Finance, Bank of New Zealand, and Department of Internal Affairs on the subject was read and discussed. Members agreed that the board was in an acute position through no fault of its own but by reason of defects in the Government regulations, and it was; decided to continue- the negotiations as quickly as possible. NEW DRAINAGE ACT.

The newly formed Drainage Boards’ Association wrote intimating that, as the Lands Drainage Acts were in such a chaotic state it was endeavouring to have a new Act passed by Parliament. On going into the matter the; association had found that the drafting of the Act was such a lengthy business that it was not yet possible to forward a draft copyBoards were asked to endeavour to get members of Parliament to give support to the measure. Members agreed that the- move was undoubtedly on the right lines, and that the association should be supported. Mr W. E. G. Willy wrote resigning his positon as returning officer to tho board. The resignation was accepted, and Mr T. D. Wallace was appointed to the position. FENCING OF SECTIONS. In connection with the fencing of certain abandoned Crown sections on Orchard East Road, the Commissioner of Crown Lands advised the authorisation of expenditure for the- purpose, and asked to be a.dvised when the work was completed, as the sections were to be offered for selection by ballot in the near future.