HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5180, 19 September 1927, Page 3

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

UNITED BOARD’S MEETING. Tlhoi Hauraki United Drainage Board met at Turua on Friday, Mr S. S. Murray presiding over Messrs J. C. Miller, J. M. Thompson, F. L. Hamilton, H. H. Hicks, F. A. Kneebone, W. McDuff, and the clerk (Mr T. D. Wallace). LOAN AUTHORITIES. In connection with the legal difficulty preventing the Hauraki United Board operating on the; late Horahia. and Hauraki Boards’ loan authorities, several letters were read. Mr E. L. Walton, the, board’s solicitor, wrote with reference tf> the originating summons for a declaratory judgment of a section of a statute;. This would be heard at Wellington on the 19th inst. In regard to the alternative, proposal Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., advised that no difficulty would be experienced' in getting a clause inserted, if necessary, in the Local Legislation Bill. THAMES VALLEY FLOOD-GATE. The Chairman reported that the Thames Valley flood-gate had been completed. It had been inspected by the lands, drainage engineer, who had suggested several minor improvements which the contractor was now carrying out. ORONGO DRAIN. George Gray and Severn others wrote requesting that the Orongo boundary drain be continued across Ngataipua Road. It was decided to take the matter in hand when funds became available. PUMPING MACHINERY. In reply to the board’s, request theAka Aka Drainage Board forwarded some brief information concerning the centrifugal pumps in use in its area. Four 18-inch pumps were in use on a minor outlet draining approximately 800 acres. The Matamata Town Board wrote inquiring about centrifugal pumps, as it was discussing their use for dealing with storm-water removal. FENCING OF SECTIONS. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote advising that Alien a report had been obtained on the work of fencing the abandoned soldier sections on Orchard East Road the matter of payment would receive consideration. FINANCE. The clerk reported that the rates collected during the month totalled £23 3s 4d from the Horahia- area and £7l 13s 8d from the Hauraki area. The outstanding rates totalled £1079 9s Hd, but of this there was £132 16s 9d Native rates, which it was unlikely would be collected. The bank overdraft was £2043 3s 6d. Accounts totalling £192 6s Hd were passed for payment. FOREMAN’S REPORT. • The foreman, Mr E. Flavell, reported having removed weeds and slips from the following drains: Baker-Madgwick, Daily’s, Gumtown Road, Porritt’s, Handley’s, Soldiers’, Orchard East roadsides, HudsonChristie. Kopuarahi-Orongo roadside., Kerepee'hi-Kopuarahi roadside. Slips were removed from the Thames Valley, Te Kauri No. 2, Miller’s, Piako roadside, and Shellbank drains. Repairs costing £1 had bepn done to the Thamesi Valley flood-gate, A fascine wall had been built outside, the Towers flood-gate to stop erosion. A block had been put in the Booth-Dar-row drain where it was op eq to the river. A slip in the Loader-Gireenway drain was being attended to. The Willow and the No. 1 A flood-gate required small repairs. The; foreman waited on the board and various matters, in connection with the works were discussed. On the motion of Mr Miller Mr McDuff was deputed to interview the lands drainage engineer with reference to having the Bucyrus dredge open up the outlets of the Louch-Mc-Duff drain, Price’s drain, and Hayward’s outlet. CLERK’S SALARY. Mr McDuff moved that ths clerk’s salary be? increased by 10s a week. He was of opinion that the wage now being paid was altogether too small for the work was worth £5 or £6 a week. This view was expressed by the Government auditor 'recently. The chairman said that he was quite satisfied with Mr Wallace’s services. He was sure that if New* Zealand' had been searched the; board would not have found a better clerk. Mr Wallace had had some very difficult propositions to handle, and had done very creditably. Members endorsed this and expressed the view that the board was quit© justified in giving the small increase suggested.

The motion was seconded by Mr Murray and carried without dissent, Mr Miller remarking that while he was not prepared to move an amendment he was sorry the the matter had come up so soon.