HAURAKI PLAINS DRAINAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 301, 20 December 1926, Page 18

HAURAKI PLAINS DRAINAGE.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY GRANTED. SECURITY FOR SPECIAL RATES. (3y Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, this day. At the meeting of the Horahia Drainage Board, Mr. P. Kmeebone presiding, a reply was received from the Minister of Lands to the recent deputation which waited on him in reference to a subsidy on the board's £14,000 improvement schema. The chief drainage engineer had reported, said the Minister, that the improvements were necessary, owing to the increased farm development and to the construction of subsidiary drainage works. Grants and subsidies totalling £2059 had been voted and, therefore, the subsidy could only be considered on the balance of £11,94*1. The Minister considered the district had fared well at the hands of the Department and that the settlers had had good value for the prices paid for their lands and, taking into consideration the assistance already given, it was considered that a subsidy of £1 for £3 was all that was justified. Since the formation of the board the following assistance had been granted: Free grant, £2000; Te Kauri outlet, £ for £, £250; outlet drain to connect with the Willow drain, £ for £, £150: on account of £3000, £1500; total, £3900. The members generally expressed satisfaction at the Ministers decision, and the clerk was instructed to forward a letter of thanks. In connection with the amalgamation of the two boards, the following resolution was passed: "That the two boards agree that, on the union of the two districts, all special rates made as security for loans then existing shall continue "to ■be levied only within the area over which they were originally levied and, in order that such agreement shall be binding on the. board of the united district, it be entered on the minute book of each board, and that a duly certified copy signed and sealed be sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs as showing that both boards are agreed that such is a condition precedent to such union." Two petitions were received for drainage works in the southern area, but as they were conflicting the board decided to engage the services of Mr. E. F. Adams, engineer, of Thames, who will be asked to recommend what is practicable, i