HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 72, 7 March 1918, Page 4

HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

SVlonthly SVSeetSng. The monthly meeting of the above board was held on Saturday, Messrs J. A. Clothier (chairman), J. Pohlen (Matamata), \V. Crawshavv (Ngarua), and J. Orr (Gordon) being present. NO. 1 DRAIN. Mr W. Crawshaw wrote, stating that he had accepted the tender of Haigh and Mickelson at 5s for cleaning No. 1 drain. He explained that the settlers were complaining of the bad state of the drain, so he thought it best to expedite the work by accepting the tender. The member’s action was approved. DRAINAGE BOARD’S CONFERENCE. The clerk stated that he had only received four replies to the board’s invitation to other boards to attend a conference to discuss the drafting of by-laws applicaable to drainage boards. However, he would write again and possibly get further replies. Mr J. Pohlen suggested that if no further ieplies were received a conference should he held by those who have expressed themselves favorable. The matter was deferred meanwhile. THE WAIHEKAU. Capt. R. B. Cranwell, who leaves with the next reinforcement draft, wrote referring to the Waihekau and further widening work required. The chairman said to complete the work in this creek the part mentioned would have to be done, otherwise the creek would be tied up in the centre. The engineer gave it as his opinion that the ratepayers on the portion and in the Matamata special area should go in for a separate loan. It was decided to reply stating that the board contemplated asking the ratepayers to adopt a loan proposal. WAIWHERO ADDITION. Contrary to written advice received from the board’s solicitor the engineer stated that he was of the opinion that the required number of settlers would authorise a loan for proposed drainage works in the Waiwhero area near Waihou. The petition was now being prepared. A WARDVILLE COMPLAINT. G. Newsome, Wardville, wrote as follows : —“ I am in receipt of your engineer’s letter refilling in drain at Wardville road, and he states that you cannot grant my request. I consider this an injustice, as I shall have to go to the expense of having the drain filled before 1 can make use of the land cut off by the drain. That means that I have to pay for the mistakes of others; in fact the drain is too crooked altogether, and I understand another face has to be straightened through my property. If this is so there will be another piece of land cut off, and the position would then be the same as complained of.” The writer asked the board to re-consider its decision. The engineer reported as follows: —“I have looked further into this matter and find that the board is entitled to place the creek in the same condition as it was prior to it being interfered with by the contractor. The length is about three chains, and the cost per chain I estimate £2. This is chargeable to the contractor.” The engineer was again deputed to write to Mr Newsome. MATAMATA SPECIAL AREA. It was decided to take the necessary procedure towards raising a £450 loan for the Matamata special area, being 10 per cent, on tho original loan. TENDERS. The tender of T. Nobilo at 5s 6d per chain was accepted for cleaning out 145 chains of the Waihekau stream at Waiharakeke creek. The matter of lotting another contract on the same creek was left in the engineer’s hands. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mr W. R. Johnson, presented his report for the month as follows - “ Contracts have made fair progress during the month. Maras had some work yet to do qn the lower section of tho Waihekau drain. This involves taking out a number of logs and cutting back stumps protruding into the drain from the batters of sides. Nobilo is pushing on with his work, and will be up to the end of his last length about the middle of this month, weather permitting. He has still some work to do on the lower portion, having to remove

stumps and logs. J. Carroll has not yet made a start with his drain-cleaning work, which is not

a fair case at all. This contractor promised that ho would

push on with the work almost immediately he got the contracts, but so far nothing has been done. A. E. Mikkelsen again requested that the cleaning of the boundary drain between his and Chudleigh’s land be put in hand, and after conferring with the chairman it was agreed to have the work put in hand. It will be remembered that it was decided to do this drain last year, but nothing was done at that time. The land drainage engineer has written that he has forwarded the board’s request for the subsidy grant of £IOOO to the proper department, coupled with his recommendation for its payment to tho board’s account at the Bank of New Zealand, Te Aroha. Thompson’s drain. —This work will be attended to as soon as Nobilo finishes his Waihekau creek work. Tenders are before you to-day for improving the middle section of the Waihekau creek, and also that, of cleaning the lower portion of the Waibarakeke creek. Barker Bros, drain. —1 did not think it advisable to deal with this work until the work higher up was completed, but tenders can now be called for doing the work say in two weeks’ time. Waiwhero Area—The boards’ solicitor has now prepared a list of the ratepayers, together with each respective valuation, and he will have the loan petition ready shortly. Matamata area —The necessary procedure is being proceeded with as fast as possible. Wairere Special loan. —I am given to understand that the money is available and the other procedure is being gone on with. Referring to the question of getting the signatures affixed to the petition of consent I wish to point out that the State Advances Superintendent now objects to one of the interested parties witnessing same and it will thei’efore be necessary to have the petition circulated by a person outside of the area.

Re Legal sub-divisions. —I have not had time to further go into this matter, but will do so this afternoon and would be pleased to have Trustee Hughes’ assistance in doing so if available.

Kirkness Bros, outlet is about completed and will be submitted for final payment next meeting.