MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 29 May 1909, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board was held in the Board’s office last night. Present: Messrs Gower (chairman), Hammond, Barber, Easton and Symons. The Clerk reported that the amount to the credit of the general account was 13s 3d and to the loan account ,£2ll ns Bd. Against the latter account there is an uupresented cheque for £so leaving an amount available of ns Bd. Since last meeting wages amounting to 6s had been paid. Accounts to be submitted to the meeting amounted to being ,£B6 8s 4d more than the amount available at the bank, which necessitates a further application on account of loan available for this year viz., ,£7OO.

The clerk stated that the engineer, Mr Ward, had taken exception to the date from which the Board had computed his salary, viz., February Ist, as he considered it should have started from Ist January, as he was doing work for the Board during that month.

The Chairman produced the agreement under which Mr Ward was engaged, and the term was as follows: —Mr Ward to receive ,£2OO for his work of drawing up specifications making estimates, etc. etc., and a turther sum of £2OO for the first year, to date from the commencement of the work, and a further arrangement to be made as toffees after the first year to the completion of the work.—After considerable discussion it was decided to agree' to Mr Ward’s request. Accounts amounting to £235 10s lid were passed for payment.

It was decided that the members of tUe Board visit the works on Monday afternoon.

The Engineer reported that all the timber work in connection with the flood gates had been completed and that the gates were acting satisfactorily. Although the weather had somewhat hampered the progress of the drain, at the top end a good advance has been made. The report also dealt with other minor work that had been carried out, and stated what work would need to be attended to at once. He stated that the railway department were altering the dredge as requested by him, to make it suitable for the drainage work, and asked the Board for further definite instruction re ordering the grab required from England at a cost ot £227. The report also stated that there was au accumulation of silt between the flood gates of the diagonal drain and the river, which should be removed in order that the drain would work properly. There was also a rise in the drain about halfway up. which should also be cleared away.

The Chairman referred to the latter part of the report, and said that the Board had nothing to do with clearing the diagonal. The only work the Board had to do in connection with that drain was putting 'in the flood gates. The cleaning of the drain would have to be done by the owners of the property. Mr Easton said if that were the case, why had his firm been rated. If they had to keep the drain clear, it would be cheaper to dam it up altogether. Further discussion on the question was held over.

The portion of report dealing with the question of purchasing grab for dredge was dealt with, the Chairman stating that he thought the engineer understood that the Board could not legally purchase the grab. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Gower, seconded by Mr Barber, that Mr Ward be definitely informed that the Board cannot authorise the purchase of the grab, but can endeavour to arrange with the Government Department to procure same, and charge a proportionate rental in connection with crane.

The making of a general rate of one farthing in the £ was confirmed, and Messrs Gower and Barber were appointed to sign the rate book.

’ It was decided, on the motion of Messrs Barber and Hammond, that the engineer be requested to obtain quotations for gelignite and detonators in quantities from Wellington merchants. It was decided to make an applicatiotl to the Treasury for a furf ther sum of on account 0loan. The Board rose at 10.15 p.m.