PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5478, 23 September 1929, Page 4

PLAINS DRAINAGE.

HAURAKI UNITED AREA. MEETING OF BOARD. The Hauraki United Drainage Board held its monthly meeting at Turua on Friday, Mr H. H. Hicks presiding over Messrs J. C. Miller, F. L. Hamilton, R. H. Heappey, S. G. Williams, S. S. Murray, J. Hamilton, and the clerk (Mr J. E. Green). A Boundary Difficulty. The Nether ton Drainage Board advised that Messrs. G. Buchanan, J. A. Reid and E. A. Chester had discussed with the assistant engineer, Public Works Department, Paeroa, the question of giving Mr G. Sarjant a direct outlet by means of an additional floodgate. This would prevent the water from the drain put in by the Public Works Department going to the Hauraki Board’s Pekapeka Road outlet. The assistant engineer had stated that there was no chance of this eventuating, and that the proper way for the water to go was through the Pekapeka outlet. In the circumstances the only course was to alter the boundary of the two boards so as to include Mr Sarjant’s land in the Hauraki District or for the two boards to come to an arrangement whereby the Netherton Board made a contribution for the use of the Pekapeka drain, drain.

Mr Heappey said that not only was Mr Sarjant’s land draining into the Pekapeka drain, but a great deal of the back country as far back as the Elstow Board’s area.

The chairman suggested that Mr Heappey meet Mr G. Buchanan, the representative for the area concerned, and endeavour to come to some arrangement. Request for Drain.

Mr W. J. Abbott, Kopuarahi, wrote urging that the drain from Shelly Beach be continued to the Kopuarahi wharf corner. In reply to Mr Murray it was stated by Mr Miller that this drain touched a corner of Mr Abbott’s land, but the board had drains all around the section. The area members were instructed to meet Mr Abbott. Waihou Stop-bank. Mr A. H. Sutton forwarded for the board’s information a letter he had received through Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., from the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, concerning the representations made at various times to have the Waihou River stopbank continued down-stream as far as Daily’s outlet. The Minister stated in his letter that his department’s proposals were to terminate the stop-bank at Gumtown Road, as flood records showed that below that point the effect of river floods became negligible. The flooding during the present winter must have been due to high tides, acccompanied by adverse winds, as there were no floods of any magnitude in the river. However, as the necessary protection against this class of flooding would not be very expensive, it was desirable to extend the protection down the river towards Daily’s outlet. The necessary survey would be put in hand and if it was found desirable to go as far as Daily’s outlet the work would be arranged accordingly. The assistant engineer, Public Works Department, Paeroa, advised that it was proposed to continue the Waihou River stop-bank in to each of the boards’ floodgates, and where necessary to lengthen and lift the concrete walls of the floodgates to the same height as the stop-bank. In the case of the Wharepoa Ferry Road the bank would be carried parallel with the drain in order to connect to the board’s floodgate. Foreman’s Illness. The chairman reported that the board’s foreman, Mr J. A. Bennett, was still in hospital but was making satisfactory progress, and, might be discharged in a week or ten days. Johnstone’s Drain. Messrs. F. H. Speedy and T. Wheeler waited upon the board and explained that since the settlers from the area north of the Orchard East Road had waited upon the board the position had changed in that the Government was digging a drain to replace the present stop-bank drain, which would be filled up. The department would connect this drain to Johnstone’s internal drain on receipt of a request from the Drainage Board. An assurance to this effect had been received from the Lands Drainage Department.

Mr Heappey said that the drain would have to be maintained. The board had received obpections to the amount of its rate, which at present was not sufficient to pay for the maintenance of the existing drains in the deputations’ district. The board wished to make its positions quite clear and it would like to know how additional drainage facilities were to be provided when the present drains could not be paid for. Mr Wheeler contended that his area had never received anything like an adequate return for the rates it paid. His land had been flooded from Johnstone’s drain.

The chairman explained that during the past two years the three outlets, Orchard Road, Johnstone’s and the Horahia Road had all been improved and deepened. After a long discussion concerning Mr Wheeler’s farm drains the chairman asked if the settlers of the area were prepared to pay a special work rate so that additional maintenance

Members pointed out that a largely could be given the district, signed objection to the board’s rating proposals had been received from Mr Wheeler’s district though the alleged per acre. Only two of the objectors overcharge was only about threepence were paying special rates, and when, the Horahia Drainage Board was in existence it had money available, but preferred to pay it into its sinking fund before due. It was also pointed, out that if the objectors carried out their intention of challenging the validity of the board’s rates the board would have to spend money defending

the action, with the result that less money would be available for drain maintenance. If the settlers succeeded up to fifty per cent, of the board’s drains would have to be abandoned. A long argument ensued on the condition of Johnstone’s drain, and it was eventually admitted by Mr Wheeler that the water was being held up by weeds. Mr Speedy asserted that there was from five to seven feet fall from the floodgates to the water level at low tide. Members of the board contended that excellent drainage could be provided without new drains, which might detrimentally affect the low-land settlers. In reply to a question by the chairman both members of the deputation expressed a willingness to pay a greater rate for more work. It was agreed to defer the matter pending a decision on the question of the objections to the board’s rate. For Influenza Colds. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure