HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5353, 19 November 1928, Page 2

HAURAKI DRAINAGE.

UNITED BOARD MEETING.

The first meeting of the newlyelected members of the HaurdkC; United Drainage Board was 'hteld at Turua on Friday, there being present Messrs S. G. Williams, J. Hamilton, F. L. Hamilton, J. C. Miller,. S. S. Murray. H. H. Hicks, R. H. Heappey. and T. D. Wallace (c.lerk). CHAIRMANSHIP.

Dn the clerk calling, for nominations for the position of chairman Mr Miller proposed Mr S. S. Murray and Mr Williams seconded. Mr Hicks was proposed by Mr JHamilton and seconded by Mr F. L. HamiltCjji. On a ballot being taken Mr Hicks was elected by three votes to two, the candidates abstaining from voting.

On taking the c.hajir, Mr Hicks briefly returned thanks and' expressed the hope that all members would work amicably in the interests of the district as a whole, KOPUARAHI FLOOD-GATE.

Mr D. J. O’Car,roll, Kopuarahi. wrote stating that Mr J. C. Miller had advised him that tlUe Lands drainage Department was unwilling to subsidise two flood-gates at Kopuarahi, but advocated a low-level gate, and the board was more or less of the same; opinion. As this would mean cutting out the scheme decided upon in response to a petition c;f settlers, the settler,s concerned withdrew any opposition to the board’s proposal, but would ask that all drains be graded to. the low-leve;l gate.

The lands drainage engineer, wrote advising that the chief drainage engineer had agr.eeji to the proposal to construct an additional flood-gate at the outlet of the factory drain in lieu of the proposed new flood-gate at Kopuarahi, for which a Government subsidy was provided, on condition that the boar.d gave an undertaking that the settlers at Kopuarahi agreed to the alteration and that the board enlarged the factory drain. It would be advisable to take levels of the factory dr.a'in so that the capacity of the drain could be increased in proportion tc< the increased flood-gate capacity.

It was decided that the lands drainage engineer be asked to prepare specifications for a drain with all the capacity available. Tenders for the installation ctf the gate were to be called' on receipt of the; plans and specifications, and would be dealt w'ith, by Messrs Miller, Murray, and t'he chairman. SUMMER WORK. The matter of extending the Orongc boundary drain was brought up by Mr Mur, raj-, who said that the work could now be undertaken. The chairman advocated souring a report by th© foreman on the various works which had been held up until the country became drier. It was agreed that the bOjttom be taken up from the following drains, which work had bepn deferred on account of the amount of water when the winter, work was done: Orongc; Boundary, Handley’s, Johnstone’s, Soldiers’, Te KaurfiNo. 2, and Willow. CHANGE OF SYSTEMS.

Mr F. L. Hamilton wrote, intimating, his intention to move the following motion :— “That the equalisation of equity pe;, ac,re to coincide with the principle of A classification per acre, thereby not jeopardising the security of ,the unimproved value as used for the raising of moneys; that all" special and prospective special loans come within this category; that all Hauraki loans be spread over the ojd ,Hauraki area and all Horahia loans be spread over, the old Horahia area ; that in all areas, for. the raising of ■money for special loans the, mode of procedure be as heretofore, but eventually to be treated in the same, way as in the first part of this motion : A poll of ratepayers to be taklen as per valuation roll, and, if a favourable poll, application for legislation be made : That areas or, wards be recognised for election purposes only, a,nd that maintenance be treated as general maintenance, account as at present.”

Mr F. Hamilton accordingly moved .that a special meeting be called for Friday, 23rd Inst. Seconded by Mr Hicks and carried. WAIHOU SCHEME. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, advised that he would inspect the work being carried out under the Waihou River# Improvement Scheme; in the board’s district as soon as possible after the election. APPRECIATION. The Minister of Lands acknowledged receipt of the board’s appreciation of the services rendered by Mr McMorran, chief drainage engine,er,. and Mr E. Taylor, district drainage engineer. FENCING. Mr G. Brown. Huirau Road, advised that he would fence the stop-bank bn his farm when it was completed. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The- foreman, Mr J. A- Bennett, reported for the month in detail. Only a little maintenance had been done. Johnstone’s outlet had been dragged, also part of the Huiroa Road drain. Good progress was being made, with the Ansford Extension drain, the contractor having taken off the top as far as Daviep’. Satisfacto.ry progress was being, made with the OrcfngoKopuarphi contract. The ScottUrquhart outlet had been completed. G. BTown’s stop-bank was nearly finished. A contract had been let for improving 12 chains of Mules’ outlet. The Soldiers’ drain 'had bepn br.idged at McComb’s. The high tides at the beginning November had topped the stop-banks at various plac.es on both rivers. Work on the Ziz-zag, Handley’s, and the Ngatea Road drkins could not proceed' on accbjunt of the amount of water. CARTER’S CORNER. On the representations of Mr Heappey the foreman was instructed to look at the Turua-Netherton ropd-

side drain at Ckr.ter’s corner and report on means of effecting an improvejment. INSURANCE. Advice was received from the board’s insurance company that the number of small claims were such that a loss had been by the company Cjf about £5O. The company therefore suggested that the premium be increased by £1 108 per cent, for all contract work. Contractors jver.e charged their share of the premium. Members agreed that if the insurance company had made a good profit it would not have offered to reduce the premium, so the best thing to do was to offer the business to another, firm. As the; amount of contract business in the future would be light, and as this company had not had a claim on behalf Of the board’s other business, it was decided to ask it to carry on at the old rate; and if not accepted to offer the; business elsewhere. FAULTY FLOOD-GATES. On the motion of the chairman the foreman was authorised) to procure material and labour to repair, all leaky flood-gates. FINANCE. The; treasurer reported that the bank statement showed a debit of £5OO 19s 4d on the general account and a, credit of £ll3 7s on the 1926 loan account.

Accounts totalling £289 14s 6d were passed for payment.

The ne;w .chairman and the clerk were authorised to sign cheques.