LAKE ELLESMERE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20564, 4 June 1932, Page 3

LAKE ELLESMERE.

MEETING OF DRAINAGE BOARD. The members present at the monthly meeting of tlie ILllcsmere Lands Drainage Board were Messrs 11. M. D. Morten (chairman), 11. J. Macartney, W. Downey, H. Pickering, F. Milier, F. 1 Coop, and John Sharp. I Mem bet's approved of the hiring of the Board's dragline equipment to tho VVaiiuakariri River Trust for a few weeks. „ ... , Hepiyiii" to a letter irom tlie Hoard, the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, stated that the report 011 the investigations cauied out by his Department into the question ot a scheme for the better drainage of Lake EJiesmere and reclamation of flooded lands was not vet complete. The report was of a far-reaching character, and he could assure tlie Board that no action would bo taken until full publicity had been given to the Government's proposals. Messrs G. Storer and McTeigue Bros, wrote asking that a drain on Quaife's road should be widened and otherwise improved. The engineer was recjrested to make an inspection and report to next meeting, and in tho meantime to have such work done as would ensure the drain remaining open to deal with flood waters. It was decided to sue for rates outstanding since 1930-31, and to give a final notice with respect to tho rates for the year ending March 31st, 1932. In his report, the engineer stated that unemployment wages lor the month had amounted to £66 os. On May 21st the height of Lake Ellesmere was sis inches on the gauge, and on. the 31st eight inches, a rise of eight inches for the month, and a total rise of 18 inches sinae the cutting closed on December 13th. This was a very slow rate of ri'e. and the lake was verv much below the usual height for this time of the year. The average height at June Ist ior the Inst six years was 2ft The weedcutter had been worked over a twomile stretch of the Halsvell river, immediately above the Greonpark fish hatcheries, and various drains had been cleaned.