MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3982, 10 August 1929, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage (Board was held in the secretary’s office on Thursday evening presided over by Mr. J. Ohlrystall (chairman). Also present were Messrs B. G. Gower, W. E. Barber, R. Bryant and the secretary ( Aljr. Alf. Eraser). An apology for absentee was received from Mr. D. Purcell. MOTIONS OF 'SYMPATHY. Motions of sympathy were accorded the (relatives of the late Mr. Wan. R-oss, who ;was at one time a member of the Board, and also Mrs. D. Purcell in her recent bereavement. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The foreman (reported that during the month he had been engaged on stop bank work at Moutoa and Foxton. On Mr. Woods’ property the [breach in the flood 'bank had 'been repaired. This work comprised [4oft. of new bank with a bottom of 18ft., a length of 4ft. Gin. - and top of 9ft., in all compjrising 87 c. yds. At Moutoa the bank ereteted was GO feet long, 9 foot bottom, 3 foot high and of a top of 3 foot, in all 40 e. yds. — Adopted. The chairman paid a tribute to the work of the Board’s foreman in connection with the banking. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: — From the Auditor Department, enclosing audited balance-sheet, dear of tags, for the past two years. —'Received. The Minister of Internal Affairs acknowledged receipt of the Board’s letter containing the resolution (passed objecting ito the proposed amendments to the Ma-nawatu-Oiroua River Board’ Act, stating that the terms therein bad been noted. —Received. NEWITIPS BANK. The Public Works Department aslked for the cost of Newth’s bank at Moutoa. 'The chairman reported that since last meeting Mr. Aitichison of the Public Works Department, had inspected the bank at Moutoa and had passed the work, but the bank had not been measured. It was decided that the chairman and contractor measure the bank and forward particulars as to cost to the Department. MOUTOA SETTLERS BANKING . PROJECT. Mr. B. G. Gower spoke in appreciative terms of the work of the settlers of Moutoa, including Messrs W. E. Barber and the chairman, in erecting the flood bank at Moutoa. The settlers had been well organised, he said, and despite unfavourable weather conditions, had done good work. - In Mr. Gower’s opinion it was up to the Board to back up the settlers in their work and, if necessary, to assist them financially.

Mr. Bryant endorsed Mr. Gower’s remarks and said the Board should do as much as possible to assist the settlers.

Mg. IChrystall thanked the speakers for their remarks and referred to Mr. W. E-. Barber’s efforts .in connection Avith protective Avorlkis in the Moutoa. Mr. Barber, he said, had carried out some exceptionally good banking which Avas the means of protecting many o'f the other settlers properties. They Avere under a big obligation to him for -this work. Mr. iChrys'tall said that personally he Avould refuse to accept compensation for any Avork he had done until those settlers avlio had taken such an active part in the banking scheme were fully compensated. He considered that the settlers should be subsidised as far as possible for their work but he did not think the Board should tade over the bank. Mr. Gower: Wle don’t Avant it as a Board bank.

Continuing, Mi'. Chrystall said the Government should be approached to alloAV the Board to subsidise the Avork from £IOO to £2OO out of the loan money. A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

The secretary expressed the opinion that the Government should subsidise. the work 'but the chairman thought there was little possibility of that. He thought it was unfair, though, that the Government should refuse to allow the Board to raise a loan to do its -own werk or to build a bank as it saw fit, especially after the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Loans Board had -approA r ed of the proposed bank. Mjr. GoAver said the bank would want more doing to it and Avhen the settlers got it into shape application should be made to the Government for a subsidy.

'The chairman said Mr. Barber and himself intended continuing the baulk on as far as Mr. Pigott’s fence while the teams were there. Mr. Barber said he felt there was a. .certain amount of danger to the big bank at the locality and he deemed it advisable to carry on with the banking. He appreciated the reference made to his efforts in connection with the matter. Most of the settlers had responded to the appeal for assistance and the effort had 'been wonderful under the circumstances. They had shown gi'eat force of charajcter in the matter. Their work already had a big bearing on the Whirokino road. Had it not been for the work already accomplished the road would have been again flooded this week. The chairman said he could not understand the attitude of the Government in. refusing the Board a loan. The ratepayers had been consulted in the matter and had approved of a combined loan for stop banks, protective Works and flood gates. In his opinion a grove of willows was necessary at the

bight in the river on Mr. NeAvth’s property and hoav Avas the time to carry this work out.

Mr. Gower reported that there was a big stump on the sandy beach opp site the bight which was diverting the water. This should be removed. It was decided to await, the completion of the woiik before taking any further action in the matter of obtaining a subsidy. far the work done. GOVERNMENT DRAM BRIDGE. Mr. R. Bryant asked what action the Board intended taking with regard to 'the Government Drain bridge which had recently been washed away and was now T lying in the drain. It was of no use to the Board but if left in its present position would cause the drain to silt up. Mr. Gower said the bridge was of no use to the property owners concerned. It had been erected by the Board many years ago to allow the Manawatu County Council to obtain metal from the pit on Messrs Robinson Bros.’ property. It had afterwards been handed over to the Council. It was decided to inform the Council that the Board had no objection to them removing the structure. GENERAL. It was decided to obtain photos of the banking operations at present in progress and also of the state of affairs in the localities affected. The financial statement showed rates outstanding totalled £719 10/6. The bank balances were as follows:—The Bank of New Zealand overdrawn £157 2/10, the Post Office 'Savings Bank in credit £69 15/4. The various account balances are, General account, overdrawn £173 14/6; interest account in credit £l6 12/11; workers dwelling loan account, in credit £69 15/4. Maintenance and repairs to date have cost the board £675 1/9 as against £446 3/8 at same date last year, an excess of £2*2B 18/1. Of this amount, the board should get £75 from the Public Wtorks Department-. The £IOO voted by the B'oard towards cost of temjpolrary stop bank, was included in the above figures.

Accounts amounting to £l4O 19/1 were passed for payment.