MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 905, 15 October 1910, Page 2

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board was held in the Board’s office last night. Present: Messrs B. G. Gower (chairman), S. Easton, W. S. Carter and O. R. Robinson. Reave of absence was granted to Mr Hammond. The clerk reported the amount to credit of loan account was 9s 4d, and to general account 15s 6d. Since last meeting £9 3s id had been collected on account of general and special rates, leaving outstanding £22 12s xod. Wages amounting to 18s were paid on September 30th. A letter was read from Dr Wall, objecting to do fencing along the drain as suggested by the Board, but he was prepared to allow the Board to do the work at its own cost.

Mr Carter said he had also written Dr Wall in reference to the fencing. By declining to fence, Dr Wall was doing so against his own interests. The Chairman thought if the Board fenced this portion of the drain it would be establishing a precedent, and this he wished to avoid. Mr Carter considered the Board had done a fair thing in offering to improve the work.

After a little further discussion it was resolved that, as Dr Wall declines the Board’s proposal, the work done according to specification be passed. Accounts amounting to os xod were passed for payment against loan account, and £8 10s against general account. The engineer reported as follows: —“As you are aware, the recent wet weather has retarded generally the progress of the work. The dredge worked fifteen full days and four part days, and completed, during that time, 8 1 /z chains of the main drain. The actual number of hours worked was 132, and the number of yards done 181, which is at the rate of 1.37 yards per hour, or 11 yards per day—not so good a return as last month. 1 quite anticipate that when the dredge leaves the metalled road and can deposit the material on either side that better results will ensue. Even at the present rate I am quite satisfied with the progress made during the past month—the dredge will accomplish the excavation in the time required. Re drainage contracts at the top end.—Neilson’s contract is now completed, and the balance of monies in hand, together with the deposit, can be paid him. Good progress has now been made with Cook’s drain, which should be completed by the next Board meeting ; an advance can be made of £25. Wall’s outlet contract is not yet finished. The contractors have endeavoured to complete that portion through the sand hills, but have been delayed by slips.”

Mr Carter mentioned that about half a chain of drain connecting Barber’s property which should have been in Neilson’s contract had not been done, and he considered this should be attended to. It was decided to leave the matter in Mr Carter’s hands to attend to. The Board rose at 9 p.m.