OTAUA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 73, 23 August 1915, Page 1

OTAUA.

OTAUA DRAINGE BOAHD. MONTHLY MEU'IING. The regular monthly meeting of the Utaua Drainage Board, held on Thursday last, was attended by Messrs W. L. West, chairman, F. Deed, R. Hull, W. Wright and the clerk, Mr W. J. King. SUB-DIVIDING AND RATING MAITERS. Correspondence wth reference to the Board's enquiry re the suggested sub-division ot the Otaua Drainage District into separate ridings and the levying of differential rates over the same was received from the Assistant-Under Secretary of the the Department of Internal Affairs, who stated that he had beeD directed by the Minister to reply as follows, viz.—"That as the points raised are matters tor a legal opinion, and as the Government cannot give legal advice to local authorities on private persons, the Minister ii unable to answer the Board's questions re Bubdividing the district into separate ridings and the levying of differential rates over the same."

The clerk intimated that legal advice on the matter had been sought from Messis Mason and Mason, and thev bad writt:n stating that they knew of no reason why the Board's classification could not be arranged so as to effect the purpose and so obtain their objret. In the event of the suggestion not being feasible, tbey suggested that as an alternative the Department of Internal Affairs should be written to with a view of having the Act amended so as to give Drainage Boards generally, or that Board in particular, express authority to levy differential general rates.

the chairman teported that the clerk and he had perused the Taien Land Drainag Act, and he was of the opinion that if it could be amended it could be made suitable for the requirements of the Board. By instructions from tbe chaiiman the clerk read the Taieri Act, which contained the following clauses, viz., That iatea could be made and levied, both general and special, on an acreage basis on a graduated scale according to the classification of the lands in tie district, but the amount of general and special i at•:a for all purposes shall not exceed four shillings per acre in any year. "By Buch reclassification or any subsequent re-classification tbe lands shall he classified into six or more classes by reference to the degree to which those lands have received or are likely to receive benefit from the operations of the Board."

Members expressed themselves in favour of rating _on the total acreage.

On the motion ot the chairman, seconded by Mr Hull, it was decided to extract from the Taieri Act clauses suitable for rating purposes in connection with the Otaua Drainage Di.ttict, ard all the members of the Board were appointed a committee to consider the matter at a special meeting to be held en a date to be decided, and, further, to submit their recommendations to the Board at the following monthly meeting, with a view of deciding whether they should be confirmed, and if so to place them before a public meeting of ratepayers. FINANCE. The financial statement as submitted by the clerk was as followp, viz.:—Assets, outstanding rates £4 28, current rates £l7O, total £l7O 2s; liabilities £155 17s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £lB 4s 6d. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Wright was authorised to have the bottom end of the Western diain cleared of grass and weeds and the chairman was authorised to have similar work carried out ia the Otaua road drain. Mr Deed was appointed to make arrangements whereby the water flowing from the drain at the corner of Bothwell road on to that road, would he prevented from doing so. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £4 11b 6d were passed for payment. The clearing sale of Mr H. O. Mellsop's dairy herd was conducted by Messrs Buckland and Sons on Thursday last and was the best ever held in the "swamp." A heavy downpour of rain cotuinujji»tbrougbout the day, but neverflSlrts there was a large attendance. Bidding was keen and good prices were realised. The major poition of the herd consisted of good class Shorthorn cows, in good condition. Best cows sold from £ls to £l7 10b, and others from £lO 10s to £l4, while a few empty cows sold from £7 to £9.