PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5439, 24 June 1929, Page 4

PLAINS DRAINAGE.

HAURAKI UNITED AREA. MEETING OF BOARD. The Hauraki United Drainage Board held its monthly meeting at Turua on Friday last, Mr S. S. Murray presiding over Messrs R. H. Heappey, J. C. Miller, F. L. Hamilton, and the clerk, Mr J. E. Green. Leave of absence was granted the chairman, Mr H. H. Hicks, who was ill, and Messrs S. G. Williams and J. Hamilton, who were out of the district. Ngatea Pumping Area. A deputatioin from the area near Orchard East Road which it was once proposed to have declared a special pumping area, waited upon the board. It comprised Messrs C. Dale, F. H. Speedy, and T. Wheeler. Mr Speedy said that the previous request made did not meet with unanimous approval, and it was now desired to amend it in the direction of asking the board to take over and maintain the Johnstone central drain. A pump was not desired. Mr Schultz was opposed to this, as he did not require this drain, and Mr E. Martin was also opposed to the proposal, for the reason that he considered a pump essential, but the other five settlers were behind the deputation. The flood-gate had been provided by the settlers and was now on Government land. Fifty chains of the drain was in bad order, but the rest, about 60 chains, was in good order. Only cleaning was required to make an efficient outlet. It was this drain which had made Johnstone’s block of land. Only a short length of fencing was missing. Mi’ Murray pointed out that much money had been spent on drains in that area, and as yet there had not been occasion to try out the effects of the improvements. At the present time the board did not have the money available for expenditure. Mr Speedy asked if the board would entertain the idea if the settlers fenced the whole of the drain. The settlers could not agree among themselves as to the cleaning of the drain, and therefore desired the board to assume control so that justice would be done the back country settlers. Mr C. Dale said that the owner of the land near the river would certainly use the drain, but his objection to the proposal now being advanced was due to the fact that a pump was not being asked for. Mr Murray said that when the area members concerned were present the matter would be carefully considered by the board. Classification.

Mr W. E. G. Willy wrote as follows

“From statements appearing in the Press it appears that the Hauraki Drainage Board classified its district in 1917 and in 1924. I have called at the board’s office in order to peruse these two lists, but so far have not been able to see them. Would you kindly intimate where these lists can be inspected ? In view of the board’s intention to use the 1924 Hauraki classification list for loan rate levying purposes, I think it only right that its attention should be directed to the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1926, section 78, sub-sections 1 and 12. “In view of the serious position which must arise if the board determines to diminish the security held by the Advances Department, I would suggest that a declaratory judgment be obtained to determine this matter, as this district and country cannot afford to risk its good name and possibly prejudice the Advances Department and others against lending money on lord here. “The fact that a merged area must levy every recurring rate over the whole area seems to have been overlooked, or at least no mention has been made of it in either of the reports appearing in the local Press. As any false step taken must have a more far-reaching effect than perhaps meets the eycj I would ask the board to make sure of their ground in the matter.”

An explanation concerning the search lor the missing documents was given by the clerk, and it was agreed that further search be made. The clerk read the sections of the Act mentioned in the letter, whereupon members expressed the opinion that Mr Willy was quite mistaken in assuming that on the merging of two districts any special rates became a charge on the whole district. The fact that the rating area for loans could not be altered was clear from this section of the Act, and was confirmed by the Order-in-Council concerning amalgamation.

Concerning the allegation of the diminishing of the security for the loan, members stated that as the loan was raised on the security of the classification proposed to be reverted to no exception could be taken. Southern Area Matters.

Mr A. M. Samuel. M.P., forwarded a letter he had received in reply to representations to the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, in which it was stated that the various matters brought to his notice on his visit were at present receiving attention and a decision would be communicated as soon as possible. By-laws. It was decided to hold a special meeting as soon as all nr’ia’-'is were able to attend to consider and adopt by-laws. Kerepeehi Road Drain. Mr J. E. Smith, Kerepeehi, wrote urging that attention be given the drain from the Kerepeehi corner to his land. Mr Heappey mentioned that the foreman had attended to the drain. A Bridging Dispute. Mr R. L. Davies, Kerepeehi, wrote pointing out the urgency of bridging the Bagnall drain, as about 70 acres of his land was without access. In regard to his offer to build the bridges at £5 each, he considered that as the drain was now wider his offer no long er stood. It was decided to erect a bridge.

Kopuarahi Corner. Mr J. C. Miller reported having inspected the culvert at the Kopuarahi school. Under the circumstances he would recommend that no further work be done in the drain on the school frontage for the time being and until the Hudson-Christie drain could be further improved. Loan Expenditure. In accordance with notice given, Mr F. L. Hamilton moved : “That owing to the improvements to the Willow stop-bank, Wharepoa Road drains and Thames Valley outlet, all being lumped together with the Hauraki special loan of £lOOO by the two original boards, that as a debit balance is showing to this Central South area of £lBl, which is the excess of above improvements as a whole, no further improvements in this and the Central North areas be undertaken out of the Horahia Loan Account until the present improvements are finally finished and the amounts of same squared as per last meeting concerning the financial statement held by the board.” In view of the fact that three members were absent, Mr Hamilton did not press his motion and consideration was deferred to a later meeting. Foreman’s Report. The foreman, Mr J. A. Bennett, reported that the drain cleaning was practically completed. Several small contracts had been let during the month in the Horahia Road south sid Huirau Road extension, Kerepeehi Road, and Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi Road drains. The No. 1 A drain had been deepened, and the roadside drain from the Towers southward had been improved. Dragging had been done in the Te Kauri No. 1 and the Te Kauri No. 2 to lower the water in the MillerHamilton drain. The Willow outlet required attention. Arrangements had been made to put men in the Orchard East Road south side from Ngatea bridge. The Pekapeka Road drain deepening had been finished, and the two culverts across the road had been lowered. A flap culvert had been installed between the Louch-McDuff drain and Hayward’s stop-bank drain, and flans on the Ngataipua Road am’ Kopuarahi-Orongo Road. The culvert from r,he Miller-Hamilton drain had been deepened and the 18-inch pipes had been replaced with 3ft pipes. The gates for the Taylor’ drain and for Taipara’s drain had been improved. Fluming had been put inside the Jubilee gate. An erosion at one of the -wing-walls had been repaired.

The first section of the Ansford’s outlet was nearly completed, and the work on the second section was going on satisfactorily, although the work would not be finished within the time limit. It would be necessary to have the fencing materials on the ground immediately. The factory outlet contract was pro - gressing favourably. The old drain where the new outlet branches off should be filled in. The contractor had made a good start on the Shelly Beach roadside drain. The Jubilee drain contract was not yet completed between the old floodgate and the road. There was about 15 inches to come out, but it would be advisable to leave this until after the winter, as the sides might stand better. The same applied to removing the old gate.

The contract for McLaren’s outlet was getting along very slowly, and complaints were being made about the delay. The drain had been badly damaged by Mr McLaren’s stock, and was in a disgraceful condition for many chains. Mr McLaren had promised to erect the fence and to keep cattle out of the paddock until this had been done. However, this had not been done. Mr McLaren had also promised to attend to the refuse from his cowshed which was passing into Price’s drain, but nothing had been done. This outlet had cost a great deal of money, and the cost of cleaning had been wasted. It was very unsatisfactory trying to get good work done and having it spoiled by such carelessness.

The Willow drain below the Hauraki Road was also in a disgraceful condition on account of cattle.

Several complaints had been made about dead pigs being thrown into the Slaughterhouse drain. In regard to the damage to Price’s and McLaren’s drains, lengthy correspondence and reports were received, and it was decided that the board’s solicitor be instructed to recover the cost of the damage done to the drain.

A similar decision was arrived at in connection with damage done to drains by stock belonging to H. F. Louch and D. Shilton. In the case of the damage to the Willow drain by wandering stock, it was decided to warn Mr T. Scott to erect a fence within 14 days and to repair the damage. Failing compliance, the work would be done by the board, and the cost recovered.