MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2669, 8 December 1923, Page 3

MANAWATU-OROUA RIVER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, The monthly meeting of the Mnn-awatu-Oroua River Board was held at Palmerston on Thursday, Mr R. T. Bell presiding. Also present were Messrs M. F. Anderson, H. Wilton, A. Seifert, N, Nielsen, W. S. Carter and H. Akers. CORRESPONDENCE. From T. Poupard, Foxton, stating that when he signed the original petition, he was assured that, the administration rate would be only upon land affected by the river, and as the writer's farm was half swamp and half low hills and flats, the Board's demand was decidedly unfair, as nothing the Board could do could possibly benefit or improve his high country, which was not affected in any way by the river.— Received. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows on the work earned out during the month:—Surveys : No. 1 trial line through Manawatu Kuku, and Rush Flat has ; been finished, and quantities taken out. Borings taken to date disclose sand in Manawatu Kuku and clay and sand in Rush Flat. The total yardage is 587,930 yards, which, at 1/ per yard, would cost about £30,000. The survey party is doing some work in connection with the drainage of some marshy country in the vicinity, which work will take about.two weeks. Messrs Ward and Salmon: The field work is done up to Walden’s Corner and traverse line some four miles beyond. Plans of river sections, cross sectons, and levels for portion are" to hand. Two draftsmen are plotting, the work, and better progress has been made this month. The position of the contract was that 34 had been finished, and there is one month to go to the contract date for completion. Classification : Mr Mackie has been seven days in the field, and-the elassfication of Moutoa and Koputuroa subdivisions is also complete up to the present boundaries. So far the method adopted appears to be suitable for equitable grading of the district for rating purposes. The field work should be finished by Christmas. Boundaries: With the inspections made by members of Koputuroa and Moutoa-subdivisions it should be possible to decide upon any alteration of the present boundaries of those subdivisions', Ma.werua sub-division boundaries be-ing ptjua. sub-division boundaries would *%imuage Board. Boundaries would seem to be too small, and this would probably result in a smaller number of ratepayers being taxed by separate rating for works which must indirectly, at least, benefit the whole drainage district. —Adopted. Resolved that the engineer be in-

strutted to complete the survey with a view T to bringing down proposals for a complete scheme. The engineer was instructed to prepare a. plan to have included extended boundaries for all ridings, and that a letter to the Minister be prepared to arrange for the inclusion of these areas in the Board’s district. Accounts totalling £222 9/7 were passed'for payment.