HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 86, 13 June 1918, Page 2

HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Monthly Meeting. ——— '■ The following members were present at Saturday’s meeting of the above board :—Trustees J. A. Clothier (chairman), J. Pohlen, J. Orr and W. Crawshaw. Trustee F. E. Hughes forwarded an apology for absence. SEPARATE DISTRICTS. A formal resolution providing for separate districts or areas in the district was carried. JUGO-SLAVS. A letter was read from Mr J. Cullen, commissioner in charge of Jugo-siav organisation, stating that in the event of Jugo-slavs working for drainage boards being called up for Government work it will be necessary for some authorised person to apply to him in writing stating full particulars as to grounds for same. It will also be necessary for the individual concerned to appeal on his own behalf. If the work was taken up prior to being registered full consideration will be given to the matter. PIRAUNUI. Mr E. Chudleigh, vjOrongomairoa estate, Waihou, wrote pointing out that the water from the Piraunui has so risen that the diagonal drain is full of water up tolhe place where the new road through his property crosses the diagonal drain and has filled the road drains so that the roadmen cannot get to work on the road. The letter continued: — “ This may cause me to lose all my Dalmatian drainers and stop the road work entirely. lam not allowed to put these Dalmatians on to any other contract. It is of vital necessity to me that the Piraunui should be deepened up to Quayne’s outlet, and this outlet is doing me great damage at its junction with the Piraunui. Hundreds of acres of good grass are in danger of ruin. Re the plea of “no funds,” other boards get money. I submit that the deepening of the Piraunui is a work of necessity and/the time has come to get funds and do the necessary work.” Mr H. O. Cooper, Waihou, asked that the Board inspect the work on Piraunui from his top boundary to Bailey’s road. He understood the stream was to be dragged. The growth has simply been cut off and now the water has gone down, the new growth is showing through. One or two fairly large slips should be cleared out while the stream is low. CHUDLEIGH’S. The chairman reported having inspected the work, which was not completed. ‘He had instructed the contractor to proceed with the work. The contractor was under the impression he had completed his work. Mr Chudleigh was willing to contribute towards the cost of widening about 35 chains of the drain. The opinion was expressed that if the present contractor would not complete his work the Board would have difficulty in getting the work done, in view of the shortage of labor. The contractor was liable to a penalty for not completing. It was decided to impose the penalty. MCLAREN’S DRAIN. Mr John Neil, Manawaru, objected to the deepening of McLaren’s drain from his windmill up to the road, as damage would be done to his property and building.—Received. UNPAID RATES. It was decided to ijppose the 10 per cent, penalty on all rates unpaid after June 30th. UNIMPROVED VALUES. Rating on the unimproved values will be adopted for the coming year. BLYTHE’S OUTLET. Messrs Blythe, Thompson,Ryan and Smith, from Waharoa, waited on the board respecting Blythe’s outlet drain. The wbrk had been promised some time ago, and they asked that the work be done at once to avoid further damage to their properties during the rainy season. ' The drain would be about 100 chains in length. The chairman explained that the loan money already obtained was earmarked, and a further loan would have to be raised for further new work. The board could give temporary relief out of funds in hand. Mr Thompson said the earlier loan was expected to provide for the work in question, and he had not expected a further loan would be necessary. The engineer said difficult country had been met with, and in doing this work, which would cope with the water from the deputation’s properties, the money raised had not been sufficient.

Mr Thompson said the temporary relief would be satisfactory if it were put in hand at once. The question of labor was raised, and it was decided to call for tenders for the work. CLASSIFIER. It was decided to hold a special meeting on June 22nd to appoint a classifier for the new areas. TENDERS. No tenders were received for the Waihekau work, and endeavor will be made to get the work let privately.