DRAINAGE WORK

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 10

DRAINAGE WORK

Manawatu Board Meeting

Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North. January 13

Reporting to the monthly meeting of tlie Manawatu Drainage Board to-day, the overseer (Mr. M. Wilson) said: “Improvements to the main drain were carried out before the holidays, but owing to the growth of weed -the work of cleaning will have to be carried out lower down before the present work can be again undertaken. Fascine work to the banks of tiie Mnngaoue stream has been carried out in Messrs. Wood’s and Bennett's properties. Several smaller washouts will be attended to later on. As regards the main and Burke's drains, there is a danger that they will not be completed before our season commences.” It was decided -to make an inspection on January 29 of the whole length of the Mangaone stream from Rangitikei Line to Foxton Line. 'The clerk (Mr. N. 1. Nielsen) reported that the bank overdraft was £1241.

Suggesting that a special rating area should be formed so that all the settlers would contribute a just amount, Messrs. S. 11. Lett, J. Puklowski, and L. A. Berkahn waited on the board in regard to the proposed installation of pumps on Burke’s drain at Rangiotu. Mr. Berkabn said bis firm would install two pumps at no cost to the board except for tlie electricity connections, power costs, and roofing for the machinery, and the board could then judge the efficiency of the pumps on the spot. Their total cost would be £B5O. and they would handle welt over 500.000 gallons an hour. After the deputation had withdrawn, it was decided to ask Messrs. Harrison and Lett, of Rangiotu, to canvass the settlers in the Taonui basin special rating area, and secure their signatures to a statement that they would be in favour of a special loan over their properties if the board were satisfied with the performance of the pumps.