THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 24 January 1901, Page 2

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

Tha first meeting of the newly-elected members of the Thames Drainage Board was held yasteraay in Mr D. G. Macdonnell's offlce. There were present Messrs H. Green, S. Hesketh, J. M., Lennox. J. R. Gray, S. C. Macky, Mat?' thew Paul, James Park. J. A. Dunlop. and F. Trembarth (Mayor of the ' Thames). On the motion of Mr Hesketh,; seconded by Mr H. Green, Mr Lennoxwas elected Chairman unanimously, < ;■ Mr Lennox thanked the members fair the honour done him. He said his sola object in accepting office was the good of the Thames. Some disputes had arisen about accounts, but there was no need,.■ for any feeling in the matter. The.V." -whole thing could be dealt with impair- ■'.' tially by a committee. He. was sure alii, were pleased with the decision of theWarden that the Board had power tg>, ' recover drainage contributions. He v. trusted that any mistakes of the past. would be as a beacon to prevent suchYerrors being repeated during the coming;-: year. , «■ The first business was to confirm the action of the members of the Board in. V starting the Big Pump.—This was agreed to without dissent. , . ' . . It was also decided to call, for tenders.-,, for supply of coal for 12 months and forf. carting same at Thames. Ml* Brokenshire reported that thewater had risen 43 fee: during the stop*\ page of the pump. The attorney of the May Queen ofv Hauraki G.M. Company wrote re drain* ~ a;.e assessment pointing out that last year the Company had to expend £640 for pumps and £343 18/ for working the same owing to the field not being drained . - to the depth required to enable a. No. 7Y level to be started.' He asked to he re^' lieved to the extent of the cost of coal V and labour for pumping. — Mr Dunion; said the Board should not entertain the:. claim. If the Tharhes-Hauraki ha&''&l.-Y cd to keep its agreement there wasJthe'Y legal remedy.—Mr Hesketh said this -was ■'>■/, a matter of internal expenditure with- V which the Board had nothing to do.-^. V Mr Park said this was a special case ia ... which the May Queen paid extra to haye the water lifted.—The Chairman said if the Board kept the controlling influence'; all along then it was with the Board-Y Mr Park had to deaj.—Mr Hesketh said '' they would make a gross error indeed if Mr Park's application was entertained. ', —Mr Paul seconded the Chairman's motion. —Mr Green said the Board had power to remedy a grievance.—After a lengthy discussion it was resolved thitwH Messrs Green, Hesketh, Grey and thM| Chairman be a committee to- enquire into the matter. , '-"'-«■ On the motion of Mr Park, seconded by Mr Paul, .the assessment for the. ensuing year was fixed at £4200 to pump ■;■' to 500 feet level. Assessments: The assessments for the ,i drainage contributions, were fixed as foi- V lows, on the motion of Mr S. C. -Macky:— Victoria, £27r>: Kuranui-Caledoiiian, £440; , ; Kuranui. £50: Xew Mo.mataiari. £440; * Waiotahi. £550: May Queen Hauraki,' I £1245: Thames Hauraki; £1200. On the motion of the Chairman, votes of •-.,.. thanks were accorded outgoing members.of .-. the Board for past services. ----- :''•■■ ; "'t«.