MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4531, 15 November 1930, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

ELECTED TRUSTEES MEET. The first meeting of the newlyelected Trustees of the Moutoa Drainage [Board was held in the Board’s office on Thursday ingThere were present Messrs J. Chrystall, W. E. Barber, D, Purcell, B. G. Gower, W*. S. Carter (P.N.), and the secretary (Mr. G. V. Eraser). BLEbITON OE CHAIRMAN.

Mr. W. E. Barbei' proposed that Mr. -J. Chrystall he re-elected chairman. Mr. Chrystall, he said, had done a lot of good work for the Board, his farm was situated practically in the centre of the Board district and he was always on the spot when wanted and had occupied the position very creditably for the past six years. The motion was seconded by Mr. D. Purcell, and carried unanimously. Mr. Chrystall returned thanks for his re-election and also thanked, the old members for their assistance and co-operation during the last term of office. lie extended a welcome, to Mr. W. :S. Carter, the newly-electcd member. TKEASU'r.ERAS REPORT. The treasurer reported as follows: The ibank [balances to date arc: Baulk of IN.Z. at credit, £IBB 9/3; Post Office Savings Bank at credit, £9O 7/4, The balances of the main ledger accounts are as follows: General A/e. credit,. £96 8/9; Interest A/c. credit £92 0/(5; Worker’s dwelling Loan A/e. crc--dit, £9O 7/4. The treasurer reported that the rate demands had been out six months and the sum of £409 19/7 was still outstanding. Of that amount £352 7/5 was due for general rates and £57 12/2 for special rates. It was decided to add the additional ten per cent, penalty to all rates still outstanding, after November 29th and to sue for the recovery of same. Accounts amounting to £39 17/11 were passed for payment. FOREMAN’S REPORT. • The foreman (Mr. T. A. Robinson) reported ,that during the month he had been engaged in cleaning out 70 chains of Langley’s North Drain. This work was 4lot carried out without difficulty owing to the swollen nature of the drains through the recent heavy, rains, and high winds and it was not until that day that it had been possible to carry out nine chainsl of side trimming on one side of the lower end of the drain. It was estimated that it would take at least another five days to complete the drain. The weeds grew very quickly in this drain. It was cleaned out from end to end scarcely twelve months ago and 27 chains of the top section cleaned in July last and the foreman considered the abnormal growth due to the fact that portion of the drain was well supplied with manure from cow sheds alnog its baulks. Trouble was also being experienced with sand drift at one point. The high winds uprooted several willows which fell in Leen’s Drain, causing blockages, but these were attended to. Willow trimming however, along the banks was proving a big job. They were getting a. big hold oyer Leens Drain.while the. Mile and Diagonal Drains were in danger of becoming overgrown by them as well as 'portion of the Main Drain. Willows had also been coining down tlie river lately and one large trunk jambed under the Main Drain iloodgales. As there was some wire and a newly pointed stakes attached it was evident' that the tree had come from some protective work higher up. Trouble was also encountered during the .month from' Hood debris jambing at bridges over the drainls. — Adopted.

A letter was received from Mr. I’’. S. Easton, with regard to the cleaning of Langley’s North Drain. —The communication was received. the secretary reporting that the woilk was now carried out.

• The' chairman reported that he had inspected the new hank idling' in the gap at Duck Creek. The eon trac tor had made a good solid job and the idling comprised 280 yards. ■The work was passed for payment. DU,Civ lyitUEiv FLOODGATES. Matters relative to Duck Creek and land level floodgates were discussed. Mr. Barber reported that Mi'. D. V. Bond (engineer to the Mauawatu County Council), had re-iu-spected the area and considered it would not cost very much extra to place the gates anywhere in the vicinity. Mr. Cower also reported on having inspected the proposed site with Mr. A. Speirs. in his opinion the location already decided on was not fur enough south to be safe as he considered that it bordered on the old river bed and if such was the case it would scour badly. The chairman said it was not so much the foundation as confining the water to too small a gap that caused scouring during flood time. Mi'. Barber, who has moved a ’■ notice of motion with regard to altering the site decided to hold the motion over until next meeting when the matter will again he re-

..viewed. AN IN TEdiEiSTJLNG POINT. 1 A reply was received from the Manawatu-O.roua iiiver Board to the Board’s query as to whether the liiver Board intended to pay rates on the land acquired for the purpose of putting through the proposed iiiver guts., The Jiiyer

Board stated that the matter had been referred to their solicitor for an opinion, and the Board would bo advised later on its decision in that connection.

In amplification of this, Mr. B. G. Gower (River Board member) said an interesting position had arisen as a result of the Board’s query and it appeared as if the River Board vVould’have to pay the rates due to the Drainage Board. Mr. W. S. Carter (chairman of the River Board, and newly-elected member of the Drainage Board) said he doubled if the River Board would lie liable as it would be taking over all liability with regard to drainage in the area mentioned.

Mr. Gower: We will lose an eighth of our revenue and the same applies to the Mannwntu County 'Council. Mr. Carter: But your maintenance will be reduced accordingly by the river scheme. The chairman said the Board would not save one penny piece by the proposed scheme and as a matter of fact its expenditure would he increased if the cuts wont through as the Board would have In dig new drains where the spillway interfered to take the water to the places where the River Board intended pumping.

Mr. Carter said that all such work was provided for under the scheme. No body, lie said, could cut through existing works and not leave them effective.

Mr. Chrystall said no provision bad been made for the work. It was decided to wait the River Board’s reply when the matter will bo discussed further. GENERAL.

A notice of transfer from V. 11. Robinson to C. C. Robinson was received. The foreman was accorded a vote of thunks for plans of land level floodgates.

It was decided that the Board inspect the whole urea at an early date.