HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 136, 12 June 1919, Page 2

HUNGAHUNGA DRAINAGE BOARD.

June Meeting. The following trustees were prosent at Saturday's meeting of the above hoard —Messrs J. A. Clothier (chairman), Jas. Orr, W. Crawshaw, J. Pohlen and F. E. Hughes. Mr N. E. Mikkelsen, secretary to the Waihekau Drainage board, wrote re a proposed conference ot his board with the Hungahunga board members, regretting that this had not been possible, but stating that his board had arranged for a section of the Waihekau drain to be cleaned out at 10s per chain. Each board pays half this amount. The contractors have the job about half finished. —Left in tho hands of the chairman to arrange. Mr J. Clothier, Matamata, forwarded his cheque for rates, which he paid under protest, contending his land received no benefit from the.board's operations. The clerk was instructed to impose the ten per cent, penalty on rates unpaid at June 30th, Mr T. McLaren, Manawaru, waited on the board re the straightening of a drain leading up to and through part of his property. Mr Hughes explained that the drain had been laid out to follow the lowest land. This zigzagged a good deal. He did not think the alteration would cost more and that it would give equally good results. The engineer was agreeable, but suggested a fresh measuring to decide whether the cost would be increased. Mr McLaren said the alteration was only a small one, but it would help him in his ploughing operations. Mr McLaren's request was acceded to, provided there is no extra cost to the board. Mr Costall, Wardville, also waited on the board, and asked that the drain from Orr's should be continued for about eight chains, thus allowing water to reach a direct, outlet, instead of going into Carroll's. Mr Orr moved that the engineer inspect and rep®rt to next meeting. The board's engineer (Mr W. R. Johnson) pointed out that the proposed work was contrary to the board's practice. The board put in the drains up to the boundaries of farms, and owners could then construct drains to feed them. Mr Pohlen said the rates collected prevented the board undertaking such work as proposed. The money available was only sufficient to maintain existing watercourses. The chairman intimated that it could not depart from its usual practice, and referred Mr Costall to the adjoining owners. It was resolved when the next contract for the Alexandra road drain is let it be increased a further five chains. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer, Mr W. R. Johnson, reported that contracts have made slow progress during the past month with the exception of No-5" A" drain, this work being now finished when spoil is thrown back to the specified distance. Good work is being carried out in all instances. The subsidiary outlet to drain Wallace's and other lands has turned out to be a mass of heavy timber, and this contractor is being hampered owing to the shortage of suitable labor. It is to be hoped that the loan recently sanctioned by the ratepayers in this part of the district will soon be available, as it is likely that more labor will be to hand shortly. I submit an account for drain improvement works handed to me from Mr Chudleigh, which requires some light throwing on the position. With reference to the first item, which is that of improving 170 chains of the Piraunui stream, I have to say that this is the portion that was proposed to be done by loan when Mr Chudleigh elected to do his own portion under my supervision. This, I might say, has been done in a satisfactory manner, but I did not understand that any agreement had been arrived at between himself and tho board, that payment would be made for same out of board funds. Regarding the other items, I do not know anything about them, and therefore cannot vouch for their accuracy or otherwise. The portion of the Piraunui stretching from where the recent cleaning works stopped to where Mr Chudleigh's work commenced is sadly in need of cleaning out, as the creek in many places is completely blocked.

The "chairman remarked that the board had not authorised Mr Chudleigh to interfere with the drain: and further the opinion was expressed that the drain was even worse than formerly. Other members concurred, Mr

Crawshaw saying the drain was in his area and would cost considerably more to clean out than formerly. It was eventually decided to contribute 4s per chain of the 170 chains of Piraunui outlet. The claim for Quane's drain and the Valley drain was declined, Mr Chudleigh having done the work without the Board's authority. Mr Chudleigh is to be asked to remove timber that has been disturbed in his widening of the Valley drain. Several minor works were considered an authorised. Accounts totalling £lll 5s 8d on the general account and £7l lis 8d on the loan account were passed.