ALL ONE RATE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 32, Issue 3290, 19 July 1943, Page 5

ALL ONE RATE

AREA ACCOUNTS TO GO MAJOR WORK TO BE DONE HAURAKI UNITED DRAINAGE In an effort to reorganise the finances of the board sp that major work could be undertaken in future such as the erection of adequate stopbanks along the foreshore to keep out the sea, it was decided at Thursday’s meeting of the Hauraki United Drainage Board to abolish sub-divisional accounts and in future strike one rate over the whole area. The above decision was reached after the following notice of motion was moved by Mr C. W. Schultz and seconded by Mr R. E. Green. The notice of motion read as under: — “That it is desirable that the board should aboiish all sub-division accounts, thereby only one general account thus studying the future position of the board for the purpose of carrying out any major works and the construction of or improvement to existing stopbanks by a dredge which may have to be carried out in the future and-also the necessity for the strengthening and stabilising of the board’s financial position to meet the cost of any future urgent works that may become necessary.” Mr Schultz said the reason he had for putting the notice of motion was so that the board could afford to build stopbanks with a dredge. All knew the damage caused recently by a flood when the sea came over the stopbanks. Too Much For One Area

The only way in which the board could afford to do such major and important work'was for all areas to subscribe towards the cost of these stopbanks. No one area coyld afford to carry, out the work without the help of the other. Mr Schultz then moved the notice of motion, seconded by Mr R. B. Madgwick. Mr R. E. Tye asked what would be the basis on which the higher areas would subscribe to the stopbanks. The chairman, Mr C. K. Fox said in his opinion it should be on an equal basis. All the areas should subscribe to provide adequate protection from' the sea. Mr D. G. McMillan said he had been surprised when the notice of motion had been tabled, especially as three members had been absent at thatmeeting. As far as his area was concerned it was the lowest rated area in the whole block. If the notice of motion became law they would have to help pay for the othei’ areas. Although his area was the lowest rated it was also the worst drained block in the area. As all knew he had been building up a fund to provide better drainage in his area and he was now asked to pool his resources to help the other areas while his area still, had insufficient drainage. Special Rate Suggested He agreed that all the areas should help to build the stopbanks and suggested that a special rate be struck over the whole area for this, leaving the other drainage as it was. His would not be penalised in this way. He emphasised that it would not be fair to make his area pay a higher rate while they still did not have any improvement in drainage. The only reason his area’s rate was low was because they had the least drainage. Mr Fox pointed out that the notice of motion provided for major works and his area wopld benefit accordingly. Mr C. W. Schultz said he did not think Mr McMillan need be alarmed as the notice of inotion provided for major work. The clerk, Mr J. E. Green, suggested that the board could resolve to reserve the credits at present held by Mr McMillan’s area for. improvement of the drains in that area.

Mr McMillan pointed out the danger of the proposed change in that each area would in future selfishly clamour for the money to be spent in their own area and there would be no check on it. At it was now, each member had to do the best he could with the money available for his Area. Warned To Be Careful Mr Roy Green agreed with Mr McMillan that this was a dangerous factor in the proposed change. He advised the board to be careful in coming to a decision. Continuing, Mr Green said he was of the opinion that the whole area would have to subscribe to the build-ing-up of stopbanks on the foreshore. Mr McMillan agreed with Mr Green and said he appreciated that it was the duty of the whole area to arrange protection from the encroachment of the sea. Mr Schultz pointed out the value of a catchment drain which would be created by the construction of a stopbank. With a catchment drain the

internal drains were working all the time, even when the tide was in, discharging into the catchment and therefore the whole area was kept drier. Catchment drains added from 25 per. cent, to 30 per cent, to the efficiency of the drainage system. Put Finances In Order Mr Schultz said in K his opinion the abolition of the sub-division accounts was the only way in which the board could put its affairs in order so that they could go to the Government for subsidies to erect stop-banks around the foreshore. Mr Fox supported Mr Schultz saying he thought that better drainage eventually could also be provided for Mr McMillan’s area. Mr McMillan urged that no hasty decision be made. He pointed out how his area would be called upon to pay more with no more drainage. He enquired why the hurry tq take such a major step without deeper consideration of the whole question. Mr Green agreed that the proposition was a little hurried but pointed out that he had always claimed that the whole area would have to pay for the erection of stopbanks. Mr Fox, pointed out the urgency of the need for the erection of the stopbanks. Every tide was practically topping the stopbank and if something was not done at once there would be a catastrophe one day with a major break-through. Banks An Urgent Matter Mr Green said the banks had to be built up at once. He could see the sea coming in and before long there would 'be a major flood—it might be the next high tide.After lengthy discussion in which Mr McMillan put up a stiff fight for a promise for better drainage for his area and members agreed that he was entitled to same it was decided to adopt the notice of motion. It was decided a strike a rate of 3fd in the £ over the whole area for the current year which will enable the board to raise an additional £575 for major works this year. Mr McMillan was instructed to bring down a scheme for better drainage in his area. It was further decided to ear-mark the present credit in the southern rrea account for urgent work in that area.