NETHERTON DRAINAGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5417, 29 April 1929, Page 4

NETHERTON DRAINAGE

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD. The Netherton Drainage Board held its monthly meeting in the Netherton Hall on Friday last, Mr G. Buchanan presiding over Messrs F. T. V. Johnson, E. A. Chester, J. A. Reid, B. Halligan, and J. E. Green, clerk. Awaiti Road Culvert. In reply to the board’s letter Mr E. Taylor, lands drainage engineer, wrote recommending that the culvert which the board desired placed under the Awaiti road be placed on the northern side of the Pukahu Road intersection (Hare’s corner). The effect of a culvert in this position would be to make water level in both road drains the same, and more water would be taken by the larger drain. The clerk reported that after conferring with Mr Johnson he had or-, dered 14 two-foot pipes and had employed a man to do the work. The total cost of the job was £2B 14s. The question of lengthening the culvert by adding three extra pipes was left to Messrs Johnson and Halligan. A Settler’s Complaint. Mr T. Considine wrote at length concerning the acreage of his land in the board’s area. Mr Green explained how the boundary was defined and the area fixed by the Valuation Department. The board could not alter the Valuation Department’s list. He pointed out that the settler had not availed himself of the opportunity to object at the proper time. Mr Considine’s letter continued as follows :— “If our drains are only to be half cleaned and the money struck for rates goes to buy culverts we have a right to appeal against classification. Please don’t state that each farmer is only entitled to one outlet. That is all right for Turua, where cattle are on stilts. We paid, or are paying, for these now neglected drains when we took up this land. It is not reasonable to believe that it is entirely the members of the board who are to have more than one outlet. “Will you please accept this as a protest against putting in the culvert across from east to west, concentrating the drainage from the east side and spilling it on to my land. I would have no objection to the culvert if the outlet to Awaiti was reopened or there were additional outlets at the Netherton end. I would add that I take this culvert as a reply to my request for a hearing as a most treacherous act. The cost of the culvert would more than clean the drain to Pukahu-Waihou flood-gate, which drain was cut for our protection and use.” The clerk reported having replied advising that the culvert was put in as a consequence of a decision of the board, and the location was decided by Mr E. Taylor. He had fully explained the position in regard to the area rated. The letter was received and the reply approved, the board deciding that it had nothing further to add. Mr Johnson mentioned that the writer had referred to his land alone, and had not stated a case on behalf of his neighbours. -These settlers had taken a petition along to Mr Considine for his signature, and he had told them that a petition was unnecessary as he had written to the board on the subject of the petition. Rates Collected. The clerk reported that the rates struck totalled £687 6s sd, and up to April 25 the sum of £465 7s 2d had been collected. In his opinion this was a very creditable position for a new district, parts of which were double rated this year. The granting of the 5 per cent, rebate seemed to be having a very good effect. Progress of Work. Members reported on the progress of the drain contracts, and progress payments were authorised. It was stated that contractors were drawing attention to the fact that settlers had not cleared the blackberry from the drain banks, and spoil was being deposited on the blackberry, making it almost impossible to remove the weed later. It was decided to write to the settlers concerned. 'A Dual Drain. The question of the drain put in by the Public Works Department from land in the Netherton Board’s district to an outlet in the Hauraki United Board’s district was discussed, and it was agreed to ask the Hauraki United Board to state what subsidy it would require to clean the drain through Mr G. Sarjant’s, junr., land to give an outlet for Mr G. Sarjant’s, senr., land. As an alternative the Netherton Board agreed to offer no objection to the former’s land being transferred to the Hauraki United Drainage Board’s district. Transfer from Elstow. The clerk reported that he had conferred with Mr M. A. Carter, of the Elstow Drainage • Board, and had learned that that board would not object to certain lands in its area being transferred to the Netherton Board’s area. The settlers would have to make application to the Elstorw Board and give it an undertaking to instal. and maintain efficient blocks in the drains on the new boundary between the two drainage districts. It was for the settlers to move in the matter. In accordance with the Elstow Board’s requirements the boardagreed to have blocks put in on the boundary between the two districts, but expressed the view that it was regrettable to have to block any drains in flat country. Reconditioning of Drains. It was decided to ask the Public Works Department, Paeroa, to expedite the work promised by the Hon. K. S. Williams to be done irt April. By-laws,

The Hauraki United Drainage Board, Turua, wrote reporting progress in the matter of securing a set of by-laws suitable for adoption by all the drainage boards in th e district. The Netherton Board was asked to co-operate, but this, was not to be

taken as binding the board in any way.

The clerk produced copies of the bylaws of several drainage boards, and members suggested additions, alterations, and deletions. The chairman and Mr Reid were appointed to represent the board at the conference with the other boards.