MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4416, 18 February 1930, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board was held in the secretary’s offi.ee last night, presided over by the chairman (Mr. J. Chrystall). Also present were Messrs R. IBryant, D. Purcell, B. G. Gower, W. E. Barber and the secretary (Mr. G. V. Fraser). - NEWITH’S BANK.

'The chairman reported that since last meeting members had inspected the damage done to the Board’s bank on Mr. Newth’s property at Moutoa. A resolution had been passed after the inspection that a new bank 90 yards in length be erected and tenders were accordingly called for the work.

The tenders for the above work were received and that of Mr. JXewtli’s accepted, it being stipulated that the work has to be completed within three weeks from time of commencement. In the event of the bank not being completed within, the time specified the contractor to be held responsible for any damage to the bank through flood.

FOREMAN'S REPORT. The foreman (Mr. T'. A. Ho binson) reported as follows: —Owing to the January flood there has not been much drain cleaning work carried out as .most of the time has been taken up with the usual afterflood work. 'During the flood the stop bank was cut to allow the water to get away but the break has now been temporarily closed against spring tides. Some person or persons unknown cut the Board’s stop bank on Mr. S. Easton’s property and the Board should take some action to prevent a similar in the future. Rubber packing was placed on all the top doors of the Main Drain lloodgates which have been stayed up tightly to prevent them leaking. Stays have also been put on the top doors of "fhe Diagonal flood gates. Flood debris has been cleared away from all fences and bridges. I hiring the month 250 detonators and .the necessary fuse were purchased and material for caulking the Board’s boat which is in a bad state of repair. The swan grass along one side of the Mile Drain had to be cut to allow the flood water to get away quickly a distance of 10 chains being cleared. Two days were put in cutting swan grass in the Kara North drain preparatory to carrying out deepening work. On February 7th a .start was made to deepen this-drain and an extra hand was engaged on the 10th. It

was found necessary, however, owing to the lateness of the season, lo engage an additional hand a few days later. As work is progressing- at the rate of. a fraction of half a chain per man per day it is -estimated that this work will take 28 Ida vs to complete the 44 chains up to Dr. Wall’s outlet drain. The work done in this connection to date is 5 chains and the time taken was 9 days. The chairman reported that Mr. S. Austin had requested that some work lie done to clean the drain through his property as it was in a bad state.

Mr. Bryant asked whether the deepening work referred to in the foreman’s report was necessary. The chairman said the drain was called on to carry a large volume of water and as it passed thrpugh two or three sand ridges it silted badly. There was a considerable amount of timber in the drain and this was being taken out. It was an important drain. The report was adopted and it was decided to instruct the foieman to clean out Mr. Austin’s drain

as requested. The matter of the cut hood bank was discussed at length. Mr. W. E. Barber said that the Board should leave the bank as it was aiid let the person who cut it replace it. Mr. Gower said there was evidence that the cut had been made with a spade. The Board decided not to take any steps to replace the bank. The question of drain cleaning w as thoroughly discussed and it was decided to call tenders for cleaning the following drains: — Diagonal, Langley’s South, Seifert’s, Kari Kari South, Lean’s, Cook’s, Carter’s, and Wall's Outlet. C ORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: — ... From the Census and Statistics Department, acknowledging receipt ioans returns. —Received. From the Land and Income Tax Department, asking for the names of debenture holders in connection with the Board’s £2ooo.—'Department to be advised that the loan was not granted. From the Bank of N.Z., advising that the Bank rate of interest on overdraft was now 7 per cent.—; Received. ’ 1 «ftJi IS®W FLOOD GATE AiND EXTENSION. Comprehensive plans and specifications in coimeetion with Duck Creek and the Main Drain hood „. a tes were submitted by Mr. H. V. Bond (engineer to the Manawatu County Council). The former flood o-ate will provide for a new opening of 04 feet and the latter for an extension of the existing gates. The chairman said that if the Manawatu Oroua River Board’s Scheme went through any money expended as proposed would be wasted. Mr. Bryant: That can’t come tor four or five years. "T Mr. B. G. Gower said he had tormed one of a deputation to Messrs Forbes and Ransom last week m reference to the Manawatu-Oroua River Board's scheme and the de-

putation had received a very cold shoulder indeed. No one on the deputation could entertain any hope of a Government subsidy in connection with the scheme after the ■ deputation's roe option. The chairman said if the scheme went through Main Drain Hood gates would be no use at all as the Main Drain would he in the channel of the spillway. Mr. AY. E. Barber: The work of extending the Main Drain gates would be well worth while in the meantime though. 'Continuing, Mr. Barber said he did not favour proceeding with the Duck Creek floodgate at the present time. The chairman endorsed Mr. Barber’s remarks.

Mr. Gower said it was hard to understand why property owners in the Whirokino allowed the flood water to remain on their properties so long. A great deal of grass eo-. aid be saved if the properties were properly drained. One portion resembled a lake. The area chiefly affected lay between the Main Drain and Duck Creek.

■Mr. Bryant asked if the Board would obtain a subsidy on both proposed works. > The chairman said the Board should extend the Main Drain floodgates whether a subsidy was available or not.

Mr. W. E. Barber considered the Main Drain floodgate should be proceeded with immediately.

Mr. D. Purcell considered that Duck Creek floodgates should be put in. Even with the Main Drain extended lie did not think it sufficient to get the water away. The chairman said that it was really not much use extending floodgates without widening the drains. He thought that the Main Drain gate should be widened at the earliest possible date, but that when application is being made for money for this work application al-. so be made for carrying out the work at Duck Creek.

It was decided that the plans and specifications of both Main Drain and Duck Creek outlet gates as supplied by Mr. 11. V. Bond be ap,roved and further that the Board renew its application to the Local Bodies Loans Board for permission to raise a loan of £SOO, the total cost of above works estimated at .£IOOO, the difference to be met by £1 for £1 subsidy from the Main Highways Board, a copy of this resolution to he forwarded to Mr. Ronayiio with the request that the matter be treated as most urgent.

GENERAL. Messrs J. Chrystall (chairman) and G. V. Fraser (secretary) were authorised to operate on the Board’s Post Office account. it was decided to thank Mr. H. V. Bond for preparing plans and specifications in connection with the flood gates. TREASURER'S REPORT. The treasurer (Mr. G. V. Fraser) reported as follows: —

The bank balances to date are as follows: Bank of N.Z. credit £3lO 17/-; Rost Office S.B, credit, £72 15/4. The various book balances are as under: General A/c. credit, £293 4/3; Interest A/e. credit, £l7 12/9; Workers’ Dwellings Loan A/c. credit, £72 15/4. Since last meeting all amounts owing for general and special rates have heeu collected. Accounts amounting to £l6-3 13/8 were passed for payment. —Adopted.