HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 81, 9 May 1918, Page 3

HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

May Meeting. y Mr J. A. Clothier presided at Saturday’s meeting of the above hoard. There were also present Trustees F E. Hughes, W. Crawshaw, J. Orr and J. Bullion. ALEXANDRA DRAIN. Messrs M. J. Stark and R. G. Bell wrote asking the hoard to take over another BO chains of the Alexandra road drain to the lowest corner of Bell’s property, and clean out the drain. The chairman doubted whether the work would ho a payable proposition unloss the settlers affected would pay higher rates. Mr Hughes said those settlers hail N been paying rates for years without direct benefit The cost would not be heavy. Messrs C. J. Stark and 801 l waited on the board in this connection, and gave their version of tho position. The chairman said tho board was disposed to assist if the settlers would find tho labor. It was decided to advance £5 towards the cost. r The deputation accepted tho offer and thanked the board. WAIWHERO DRAINAGE AREA. Mr P. Gilchrist forwarded duplicate agreement executed by the Piako County council on the Waiwhero addition to the board’s /district. It appears that the settlers interested are most anxious to proceed to constitute the addition, and to give consent to a loan. Mr, Gilchrist, asked tho board to expedite the'.matter if possible. —Agreed to. B DRAIN. f Mr C. D. Barker, Waharoa, wrote asking that the B drain across his property be widened, otherwise it would not be much benefit to him daring the coming winter season. The engineer reported having replied to Mr Barker, stating that there was little hope of the work being done owing to lack of funds for the work. Mr Hughes considered some widening and deepening work lower down the stream was necessary before the widening referred to would be beneficial. It was resolved to reply to this effect. BURKE’S OUTLET. Mr J. B. Thomas, county chairman, waited -on the board regarding a drain in the Waiwhero area. He said Burke’s outlet drain should be cleaned out, and understood the settlers affected were willing to do the work on the usual conditions. The work should be pushed ou with, otherwise the drain would be useless during the coming season. He suggested that a committee be given power to act. j. t Mr Clothier agreed and moved accordingly, subject to the area being transferred to the board’s district. j Mr Orr seconded.—Agreed to. The work will be paid for out of rates. OVERDRAFT. A formal resolution was carried providing the board’s authority to operate on an overdraft up to £6OO with the Bank of New Zealand. PIRAUNUI WORK. The chairman reported having inspected the Piraunui work. The contractors were doing good work, and were almost completed. An offer from Mr Chudleigh’s manager had been made towards the cost of widening portion of the stream for 35 chains beyond the tram bridge. If the work was done Mr Chudleigh’s property would be practically free of flood water. Tho cost would be about £l5O. It was decided to do the work on the terms offered, subject to confirmation of the offer. WAIPUNA AND WAIHEKAU \ STREAMS. Mr Cjbthier said he had inspected the Waipuna stream, and there was need of improvement. Nothing had bad been done last year. Mr Crawshaw said this was a worse job than the Piraunui. Mr Laird had spoken to him about the Wailie* kau stream, and offered to assist in improving it. Messrs Crawshaw and Clothier were authorised to attend to the matter. NO 1 DRAIN. Mr Crawshaw explained that one of the contractors for this work had been in hospital laterly, and the partner asked to be allowed more time to complete the work.—Left in hands of Mr Crawshaw. MR LAREN\S DRAIN. Mr Clothier said the engineer had prepared plans for this work, but the settlers affected considered it too elaborate. The engineer and Mr Hughes said if the original plans were not adhered to the cost of maintenance would be greatly increased. Mr Hughes said the rates paid now ■would not provide for maintenance. It was suggested that the settlers interested are not unanimous.

! The engineer claimed that the proposed drain was against the natural fall of the country. It was decided to invito tho settlers interested to meet the board, as it considers that to deepen the drain is against the best interests of the board. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tho engineer, Mr W. R. Johnson, verbally reported on works in progress. DALMATIAN LABOR. The engineer referred to the Government proposals to conscript Dalmatian label for public works. Ho doubted very much whether they would earn the 11s per clay allowed by the Government if they wero conscripted. He suggested that a scheme be formulated with the Government engineers for co-operative work. He understood several Dalmatians had already been called up to undertake public works in the Netherton district. If the board mado representations to the authorities probably sufficient men could be left to carry on necessary work under Government supervision if necessary. He would like the board to co-operate with other boards moving in the matter. The chairman quite agreed, and suggested that the board’s representative confer with the authorities. It was a serious position for drainage boards if the only available labor wero conscripted. Mr Pohlon was of opinion that hardship would be involved. He urged that the authorities be approached at once. Ho moved accordingly. Mr Hughes seconded. —Carried. It is proposed to invite the Jugoslav Commissioner, Mr Cullen, to meet the representatives of drainage boards at the conference on May 18th at To Aroha.