HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 113, 30 December 1918, Page 1

HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Engineer’s Report. Mr W. R. Johnson, engineer to the Hungahunga Drainage board, presented the following report to last Saturday’s meeting of the board: — The only contract now being carried on is the No. 5 drain, in the Wairere Special Rating Area. This work has been worked short-handed during the month owing to the epidemic. Good work is being done in so far as the works have proceeded. New Loan Proposal.—Progress in carrying out the procedure relative to this question has been retarded owing to one of the interested ratepayers lodging au objection to the special roll. The objection will be dealt with at the next sitting of the Magistrate’s court to be held in Te Aroha in January next. It is the board’s duty to bring evidence before the court to show that Given’s property will receive benefit from the proposed loan expenditure. I suggest a committee to deal with this matter, which should ho taken as most important business.

Land Classification.—l submit my classification of the lands within the Rangiatea and Matamata south extensions of the district, also my amendments of Borrie’s, McKenzie’s, Ballard’s, Sealey’s, Ryan’s, Bowditoh’s Forsman’s and Ogden’s properties The property held by Davies and Mathers is somewhat hard of adjust ment owing to far too much land originally being placed in Class “A.” But I have done the best I could under the circumstances. All pavtieaffected 'by the amendments have been served with the necessary notices. Waihekau and Waipuna Drains. — Referring to these drains I have en deavored to have something done to improve them as the right class of labor was available. But oq closerinspection it was found that in the case of Waihekau creek there was far too much water to make a proper job In the case of the Waipuna, it badly wants doing, but I did not feel justified in doiug anything until the meeting dealt with it. The chairman, whom I conferred with, will explain the actual position. Cattle in Dr ains.—This is a question that the board should endeavor to remedy. The new work in No. 5 drain is continually being damaged through the cattle parading up and down continually. This is the case during the summer months with all our drains, and fully half of the annual cost of maintenance is on this account. In the case under review I suggest that arrangements be made with the offending parties to properly fence their cattle-drinking places. This could be done easily and cheaply, and would be decidedly effective. I take this opportunity of wishing the hoard and clerk good wishes for a Merry Xmas and Prosperous and Happy New Year. The report was adopted.