MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 4000, 21 September 1929, Page 2

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD

MON 'JULY MEETING.

t he monthly meeting of the Moufoa Drainage Board was held on Thursday evening, presided over by Mr. J. Chrystail (chairman). Also present were Messrs R. Bryant, \V. E. Barber, B. G. Gower, D. Purcell and the secretary (Mr. A. Fraser). Mr. W. E. Barber imported that since last meeting the old bridge across the Government Drain which was wrecked during a 1 recent Hood had been removed. TREASURER’S REPORT.

I’tie treasurer (Mr. A. Fraser) reported as follows on the Board’s finances:—-The balances to date show the bank a/o overdrawn by £1!)1 ill/- and ithe P;0. Slivings Bank in credit, £74 15/4. The balances of the Separate Accounts are: General A/e overdrawn, 8/2; Workers’ Dwelling Loan A/e in credit, £74 15/4. General rates paid to date amount to £461 3/7; outstanding, £560 10/5, special rates paid to date, £ll2 17/2;'outstanding, £l4O 17/4. The treasurer reported that the ratepayers list was confirmed by the Magistrate on the 12th August without alteration.

Accounts amounting to £35 4/4 were passed for payment.

FOREMAN’S • REPORT

The foreman reported that during the month just prior to last flood repairs were carried out ’to the bottom doors of the Diagonal floodgate as the previous floods had considerably damaged one of these doors evidently through wood becoming jambed -andew the hinges as these doors are so constructed that it is possible-for timber to get under the hinges. This work had to be done between tides.' The doors are now in good working condition. A large quantity of flood debris was removed fro nr the drain side and river side of the Diagonal gates, both before and after the last Hood. Branches from the pirius insignis trees that were felled at the Main Drain flood gate were burned and silt cleared out from behind the big doors. Some broken chains on these doors were also mended. Flood debris was dragged from the Kara South and Kara North drains, Daring the last ten days the work of cleaning Smith’s drain bad been undertaken. The drain is 40 chains in length and was is a particularly bad condition being completely blocked as a result of several floods for a distance of 20 chains. The drain was jambed tight from top to bottom with rushes and timber as well as several dead lambs and ewes. The debris was dragged back from the drain and |Dr. W alls’ manager kaS promised to burn same as soon as dry. This will prevent future Hoods from washing the rubbish back into the drain. During the coming month a start-will be made to clean Kara north drain. —-Adopted

CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from Mr. Cameron, of Shannon, 'pointing out the had state of the road in front of his property near the old ferry which was covered with water and asking the Board to clean the drain providing an outlet. Mr. Cameron pointed out that as a result of the last Hood his fence along his road frontage was down and it was impossible for him to do anything until the water was drained off.

The chairman said the Board sympathised with Mr. Cameron on the state of his property but the diaiu referred do was not a Board drain and consequently not under the Board’s jurisdiction. The object of the Board was to provide an outlet to every property owner but did not undertake cleaning out private ’ drains. It was 'decided to notify Mr. Cameron of the position and to explain to him the location of the Board’s drain in that locality. ,

Messrs Cooper, Rapley and Jvutherfurd of Palmerston North, on behalf of Mrs. B. M. Terrill, of Moutoa, served notice on the Board, that the flood bank in front of her property was weak and inefficient and required strengthening as in its present state it endangered her property. Mrs. Terrill therefore demanded that the necessary ■strengthening work be carried out and that until such was done she would hold the Board liable for any damage done.

It was decided to inform Mi's. Terrill that the bank is not a Board bank and that -it " was originally erected by the Manawatu County Council,’and later,re-erected hy the settlers interested."

The Public Works Department w rote in reference to ' the Yellow Stop Bank, Duck Creek and Main Drain Ilood gates, asking if these are to he proceeded with. Mr. Bryant said that if a subsidy could be obtained from the Highways (Board the works could he proceeded with.

The chairman said that the loan to carry-out the work had been for the dual purpose of stop banks and Hood gates. The Board did not intend doing anything with the yellow hank. The Board however, should have funds on hand to carry out emergency work in filling- sudden breaches hi the banks or carrying out necessaryxprotective works. The loan was for a dual purpose.

Mr. Barber said that the trouble was that the Highways Board did not know where it was with regard to subsidies at present. They had viewed the (Duck Drain floodgate very favourably before.

It was decided to write to the Public Works Department pointing out that the Board has no intention of erecting the Yellow Stop Bank, but support was required for the floodgates and river protection works.