Makerua Drainage Area

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 8

Makerua Drainage Area

BOARD CONSIDERS VARIOUS MATTERS Mr. H. Seifert (chairman) presided at yesterday's meeting of the Makerua Drainage Board. Others present were Messrs W. Jackson, E. E. Mabin, T. D. Lynch, W. Ross, G. Larsen and J. AitchArising out of the minutes in connection with Doherty's drain and intersecting channel, it was decided that the engineer should take levels and report. Speaking of the intersecting channel the chairman reported that 'it was in good order and that the overseer could remove any obstruction in the channel and Aker's drain. In regard to Seifert's drain outlet job. the engineer (Mr. O. J. Dolan) reported that both contractors’ had completed their clearing operations and that the contractor for No. 1 section had commenced scooping from the side of the Main drain. The whole of the cleared area had been ploughed preliminary to scooping and considering the weather conditions since the commencement of the work, all possible progress had been made. The report was adopted. In common with other local bodies in the district, the board decided to observe the five-day working week and to closo the offico on Saturday mornings. Overseer’s Report. The overseer (Mr. P. V. Tucker) reported on the work of the month as under:— "Owing to the unsuitable weather and the high level of the Tokomaru river no work has beeu done on the floodgate at Messrs Liggins 7 southern boundary. Protection of the Tokomaru banks below Liggins 7 stock bridge is now being carried out. "A start was made with the regrading of Smith's drain below the railway but had to bo abandoned till more suitable conditions. "Two flood gauges were fitted to the intersecting channel floodgates, one on each side of tho gates. "All the macrocarpa plantations have been attended to. 77 The report was adopted. Question of Loan Money. The question of raising money for urgent work was discussed at some length and one trustee summed the position up by stating that under the existing authorities the board had no option but to hypothecate debentures to the bank and pay tho current iate of interest. The loans in question were of £SOOO for flood damage and of £I2OO for drains. The authority for tho £SOOO stipulated that tho rate of interest should be 34 per cent. At that rate there was no money available in the market and authority had to be secured to approach the bank, which was done. The other loan is for urgent work but, able to offer only 34 per cent., it was agreed that the board would not be able to get the necessary money except at the bank, and it was decided to get authority to hypothecate the debentures to the bank. It was also decided to ask the Treasury to continue the effort to get cheaper money for the board. Correspondence.

Mr. S. L. Wright, of Tokomaru, wrote drawing the attention of the board to the condition of the banks of the Main drain near his property.—lt was decided that the overseer should inspect and report. Air. Ross stated that he had noticed a considerable quantity of ragwort in the board’s area. Ho added that though tho matter had nothing to do with the board it was of vital import ance to the ratepayers. It was decided to bring the matter before the notice of the Horowhenua County Council. Finance Statement. The finance statement included the following items: Overdraft at 10/12/36, £7995 13s lGd, plus expenses since, £392 7s 2d, making a total of £B3BB Is; less lodgments, £2OBO 3 2s lid, making a balance overdraft at date of meeting, £G3O7 Ss Id.