WORK OF THE MONTH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume VLI, Issue 3323, 26 April 1935, Page 8

WORK OF THE MONTH.

HAURAKI DRAINS. FOREMAN’S REPORT TO BOARD. Reporting to the Hauraki United Drainage Board’s April meeting the foreman, Mr W. A. Herkt, stated that most of his time during the month had been occupied with inspecting drain cleaning contracts. -Several of the outlets from floodgates to rivers had had to be given attention. Cattle and pigs were still giving a great deal of trouble by getting into drains. Most of the settlers concerned had been approached concerning cutting blackberries from the banks of drains on their properties. Most of the contractors had finished their drains and others would finish in a few days. Most of them had given satisfaction. As the Wharepoa road south side drain had slipped badly for several chains arrangements had to be made to enable the contractor to finish his job. It will be necessary to remove more spoil later on or to timber the bank. The bore in the Bagnall- Ansford drain had been attended to and should now be satisfactory. Drains let had been as follows: —Orchard East road, north side, to Speedy’s gate, to J. Edwards at 2/3; Willow Extension drain, from Soldiers’ drain to McComb’s bridge, to W. Johnson, at 3/6; GreenawayLoader drain, to Peacum and Co. at 3/6; Zig-zag drain from Te Kauri to Bagnall-Ansford drain, to J • Yukish at 3/-; Price’s drain, to Tony Piacum at 4/9; Orchard East road, south side from Schultz’s to Parry’s, to Tony Piacum at 3/4; Sloane’s Extension, to H. Griffiths and Elvin at 4/-; Kneebone’s outlet, to a Elvin and T. Ryan at 4/-; Louch-McDuff continuation to road, to W. Drent at 3/8; KerepeehiKopuarahi roadside from school corner to L. James’ centre drain to J. Ivan at 2/-; Mongonui drain, from road to Wairau Road, to W. Fisher at 2/5; Pekapeka roadside, from floodgate to Middleton’s centre drain, to Durman Bros, at 2/6; Porritt’s outlet to Pekapeka drain, to L. Moana at 2/9. The bridge across the Orongo ferry drain giving access to S. Baigant’s property, was in need of repairs. The Scott-Urquhart drain has not been protected by fences. The top end of the Te Kauri No. 1 drain was cracking badly near the bottom of the batter and large pieces of earth are inclined to fall into the drain. The position was serious. Arrangements

have been made whereby labour for the stopbank work be obtained from Thames instead of from Auckland. It will be necessary for the Board to make further arrangements to enable the men to get a start. Estimates have been made to complete the section of stopbank to Daily’s gate. It would take 1350 cubic yards of spoil to bring the bank to the necessary height.