AKA AKA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 210, 19 September 1916, Page 1

AKA AKA.

DRAINAGE BOARD MEETING. At the meeting of the Aka Aka Drainage Board last Thursday there was a much larger amount of business than usual, necessitating an all-day sitting. Mr Bent, the delegate to the conference of Drainage Boards held at Hamilton, presented his report of tho proceedings, particulars of which have been already published. It was resolved that the County Council be requested to replace the pipe culvert at the junction of Hill's drain with the Western drain by a ten-foot bridge. The report of Mr Ashley Hunter, C E. to the Lands Department, upon the effect of the Waikato River Board's scheme was read and the portion dealing with its effect upon the drainage of the Aka Aka district evoked a deal of discussion. Mr Hunter reported that the groynes opposite Kaitangata had caused a considerable amount of shoaliDg in the channel which was already injuring the Eastern drain outlet. It was ultimately resolved to obtain legal advice as to the Board's posi tion with a view of obtaining redress.

In view of the lessened efficiency of the Eastern drain to carry the amount of water it has to deal with and tho belief that owing to the action of the groynes its value would become less and less it is fe.'t that it would be useless to widen it. With the idea of finding another outlet for the water it was resolve! to instruct Mr Simmonds, C.E., to take levels from the Aka Aka Creek, up the Western drain, and by way of McCarthy's drain to the Eastern drain, Should his report show that tufficient fill exists the ratepayers will be giveu the opportunity of voting for a loan of £IOOO for the purpose of carrying out the work. It is understood that a number of ratepayers have signified their willingness to support the proposal. Should a loan be raised the Board will employ a Priestman dredge, by which the work will be done at about one-half the cost of manual labour.

The greater part of the afternoon was spent in revising the ratepayers classification list. In this matter tho fact that the Board has no power to rate on an acreage basis is much to be regretted, as the unevenness of tte valuation cause considerable inequalities in the amounts of rates paid. At its next meeting the Board will levy tho rate for the ensuing year.