MANAWATU DRAINAGE BOARD.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8832, 7 June 1907, Page 2

MANAWATU DRAINAGE BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above 'was held yesterday. Present: —Trustees Sanson (in the chair). Keif, Best, Voss, Prouse and O’Loughlin. Kairanga School Committee wrote asking Board to carry out. drainage work at school according to engineer’s plans, and also to vivo a small grant towards operations. —be coral trustees expressed the opinion that the work was not one for the Board, and that it would not be Justified in spending the money. On tbe motion of Trustees Keif and Prouse, it was decided that the Board could not accede to tho requests, but would willingly hand over tho plan prepared by the engineer.

Mr Thomson then attended and asked that tho drain through bis property at Aoraugi bo bottomed .and finished. He aiao offered to bottom and clean another drain at same place, 39 chains long, for £2. —It was decided, on tho motion of Trustees Prouse and O’Loughlin, to accept the offer. The Engineer, Mr Armstrong, explained position of afiairs in respect to stoppage of work on Awapuni outlet, and the report was considered in committee. His action in the matter was approved.

Mr Larsen asked the Board to attend to a drain on Longburn-Kongotea road, which could bo done without much expense.—He was advised by the Chairman that his best course would bo to obtain permission from an adjoining property owner to carry tho water out tnrough his and by moans of a pipe drain. It was finally decided to depute tho Engineer to take levels and leave the Job in Mr Larsen’s hands if he chooses to take it up. Accounts totalling JU-18 15s lOd were passed for payment. A strong deputation from Palmerston Borough Council and ratepayers in tho Board’s district waited on the meeting in connection with damage done to adjoining properties by the Mangaone stream.. Mr Guy pointed out that although tho Board had done good work, still a great deal more might be done to good effect. He suggested that tho necessary funds could be drawn from general rates or bank overdraft. He hoped the Board would take steps during the summer months to have the necessary work carried out.

Mr Essex, Mayor, also urged upon the Board to have the work carried out with all possible speed. Although the damage had not been very great, still property had depreciated in value. He was assured that during the past fifteen years the bed of the river had risen five feet. After hearing other members of the deputation, the chairman stated that twice the Board have tried to raise a loan but had been defeated. The work was now being done out of rates, £1450 having been spent up to the present. Last year’s rates had totalled £IBOO, of which £7OO had been spent on the work under notice.

After discussion by the Board, it was decided that the engineer take the levels, prepare specifications, and call for tenders as soon as possible.