MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2416, 11 April 1922, Page 2

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held on the 10th inst. Present: Mr F. S. Easton (chairman), Messrs W. E. Barber, K. Easton, and A. King. The Clerk reported the balance of drain cleaning had been let at same rates as last year. Messrs F. S. Easton. IV. E. Barber and Chrystnll were appointed to pass the various, sections.

The annual balance-sheet was submitted, showing debit balance to general account at £268 16s 3d, and credit to special rate account £2O 6s 9d: general rates received £627, and special £253. The main expenditure was drain cleaning £335, erection new flood gate £360, and payments to the Treasury from special rates £246.

The treasurers statement and balance-sheet were adopted (the hitter subject to audit). The Treasurer submitted suggestions as to the various ways of clearing existing overdraft as required by the Local Bodies Finance Act, 1821: (1) To raise a loan without taking a poll of ratepayers; (2) by clearing the overdraft by seven equal annual payments: or (3) by rearranging the general and special rates to clear during the current year. The two first would be cumbersome, and as the overdraft is comparatively .-mall, it was decided to adopt the suggestion that the general rate be increased from fi-Hiths to .11-1 (tilts, and the special rate reduced from jth to 3-lOths, making the total increase about l-l(ith on general rates. Estimates were given showing this calculation would clear the present overdraft and ordinary expenditure by 31st March, 1923.

Messrs Moore and Bergin wrote on behalf of Mr John Purcell for permission to cut a channel through the flood bank on his boundary, provided lie put in a proper and sufficient culvert. Tt was decided Mr Purcell be asked to submit a plan of proposed culvert, and state if with flood gate, and the position selected. Upon receipt of this, members of the Board will, meet Mr Purcell and land owners in the vicinity and discuss the matter.

The Chairman was appointed the Board delegate (o meet Mr Newton; under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, at Palmerston N., re proposed Fiver Board matters.