Hangahunga Drainage Board.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43214, 13 August 1907, Page 2

Hangahunga Drainage Board.

An ordinary meeting of the above board was held on Saturday afternoon. Present: Messrs T. Hanna (chairman), Waghorn, Stanley, and Lockyer and the Te Aboha News’ representative. The Commissioner of Crown Lands informed the Board that having gone over the ground with Messrs Wright, Otway and Haezard, and having consulted those gentlemen, he was of the opinion that the outlet for the drainage scheme should be the Piraunui stream, but before turning the drainage down that stream provision, approved by the settlers, should be made for the extra flow of water, either by the settlers there coming into your drainage district, or an agreement made with them as to what should be done. This will have to be made quite clear before I can recommend that your Board receive tho Government subsidy. J The engineer forwarded an account for £6 4s for his expenses in connection with the Commissioner’ visit, which was reduced to £5 12s and passed. Mr, Borrie, Waihou, wrote in regard to fixing a date for the meeting of Piraunui settlers to consider joining the drainage area, and it was decided to fix September 7th for the meeting. In regard to Mrs Baker’s request for a bridge to her section, it was decided that the Chairman and Messrs Waghorn and Lockyer make arrangements on the ground. Messrs J. H. Franks, A. Coad, Jas. Orr, J. Carroll and G. Kuhtz, Wardville settlers, forwarded a petition asking the Board to construct an outlet drain from their several sections. Thoy suggested a continuation of Johnston’s drain. The water from their property was flooding their neighbours.—lt was decided that members inspect the locality. The Piako County Council forwarded Mr R. St. V. Scott’s letter and suggested that the Board deal with the matter. —Members deoided that the matter was outside their jurisdiction. Tenders were opened for Lockyer’s dram, the engineer’s estimate being £lO5. Messrs Stanley and Lookyer said the engineer’s estimate was absurd, and thought he had not been near the place. It was all heavy timbered country, and was worth fully £3 a chain. Mr Waghorn said the engineer had not been there and it was not pegged out. The following tenders were then opened : Stanley and Lay bourn, £3 9s ; W. Bush, £3 6s ; T. A. Lockyer, £3 Is; Stanley Bros, (accepted) £3. The chairman said the work, should not be let until the work was pegged out. Mr Lockyer moved that the lowest tender be accepted, and Mr Stanley seconded. Mr Stanley wanted to know how the engineer could put an estimate on work he had never seen. He classed the drain as the worst in the swamp. Mr Waghorn said the engineer was not treating the Board right. The motion was carried, Mr Lockyer stating he had put pegs in himself. It was decided that in future to have all plans and specifications before tbe Board before the tenders were called, also to have tbe pegs in. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Te aroha News representative for taking a report.