PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5505, 25 November 1929, Page 1

PLAINS DRAINAGE.

THE NETHERTON BOARD. NEW MEMBERS MEET. The newly elected members of the Netherton Drainage Board held their first meeting in the Netherton Hall on Friday afternoon, there being present Messrs G. Buchanan, F. T. V. Johnston, B. HSlligan, G. Death, C. Townshend, and the clerk, Mr J. E. Green. The clerk read the declarations of appointment of trustees as gazetted and explained that the first business was to elect a chairman for the ensuing three years. Mr G. Buchanan was nominated by Mr Johnson, t and seconded by Mr Halligan, and there being no further nominations he was declared elected. Mr Buchanan returned thanks and extended a welcome to Messrs. Death and Townshend. These gentlemen responded , and hoped the proceedings of the board would be harmonious, and gave an assurance that they would do their utmost for the good of the district as a whole. Revaluations. Advice was received from the Valuation , Department that the board’s area would be re-valued as part of the Hauraki Plains County in such time as to be effective for the coming rating year. Finances. The clerk reported that outstanding rates amounted to £97 17s Bd. The 10 per cent, penalty would be added as advertised, and proceedings would be taken if not paid within a reasonable period. Notice of intention to fix the date at the next meeting was given by the chairman. The clerk reported that the expenditure for the financial year to date on works was : Northern area, £39 18s 9d; H Drain area, £KS Ils lid ; and Awaiti area, £213 Is sd, and on general expenditure, £lO4 13s sd. The receipts from rates arrears were : Northern area, £92 4s 2d, H drain area, £194 7s lid, and Awaiti area, £l9O 14s 10d; and on current rates : Northern area, £22 5s 6d, H drain area, £95 14s 6d, and Awaiti area, £2O 10s lOd. A contribution to works of £3 Is brought the receipts up to £6lB 18s 9d. Oustanding accounts at the beginning of the financial year were £4l 19s 9d, and there was a credit balance at present of £63 13s 6d. In view of the fact that the work of the board had' settled down, to routine, and the clerical work involved was now much less than in the first years when there was all the business of formation and of opening accounts,. the clerk agreed to a reduction in salary of £25 per annum — to £75. .. . Members expressed appreciation of Mr Green’s work. Works. The action of Messrs Johnson and Halligan in having the Awaiti outfall dragged during the month was approved. On the motion of Mr Johnson the clerk was asked to ascertain from the Lands Drainage engineer the position in regard to the Terrace drain. Messrs. Townsend and Death were directed to report to the next meeting on the state of the outlets to the new floodgates at the sand dump. Blackberries. A peculiar position was mentioned by Mi - Johnson, who asked who was responsible for clearing blackberries from a strip of land reserved for a drain. As the board did not see that it had any liability, and as certain settlers used the land without any legal right they declined to clear the weed's. It was resolved to ascertain the position from the Lands Department. Rebate on Rates. Mr Townsend mentioned that on the current year’s rate notices there had been no intimation of a rebate for prompt payment. The chairman stated that the matter had been discushed and the board had decided not to give rebate this year. '