WORK IN DRAINS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32671, 1 February 1946, Page 5

WORK IN DRAINS

HAURAKI UNITED AREA PROGRESS DURING MONTH STOCK CAUSING DAMAGE The following comprehensive report on work done to drains, stopbanks and outlets in the Hauraki United Drainage Board area was presented by. the foreman, Mr W. Johnson to the January meeting of the board. The report read as under: — “Kopuarahi roadside drain, north side from Kopuarahi factory outlet to Millei’s western boundary has been improved. Stumps have also been cut out of bottom of drain and pipe culvert cleaned.

“Orchard East roadside drain, south side from Willow extension to bridge at Mr Nelson Green’s garage has been improved. “Piako roadside drain, south side from Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi road to Burfoot’s pipes have been improved.

“[Price’s drain about 5 chains down from where the dredge knocked off working to Kerepeehi-Kopuarahi road has been improved. Cow manure has been getting into this drain from two shed's, Mr Tye’s and Mr Yelavich’s. I interviewed Mr Tye and showed him the trouble. He has now had this matter attended to so as to prevent any more manure getting into the drain.” It was decided to advise Mr Yelavich that the damage done to Price’s drain must be repaired within 14 days to the satisfaction of the foreman.

“It was reported that cattle were grazing down on the bottom of this same drain. I went out and found that the wire had been stapled down in two places. I interviewed one of the landowner’s sons and he said he had stapled the wires down so that the cattle could graze along the batter of the drain as he said it would keep the grass down. I told him he had better put the wires up straight away so as to save any more trouble as his stock were damaging the batter. There are also another couple of places down near his shed where the fence needs repairing as stock are getting out and damaging the batter. (Horses, cattle and pigs).

“Kneebone’s and Sloane’s drains.— While inspecting these drains I found a beast in Sloane’s drain. I interviewed Mi- Sloane’s brother as Mr Les. Sloane was away. I told him that there was a beast in the drain and the fence wanted repairing in a couple of places. I also pointed out that the cattle were getting out on to Kneebone’s drain because the fence had not been repaired’ as Mr Les. Sloane had promised. He told me that the man that they had let the contract to had let them down. Since then I have seen Mr Pivac and he told me that he was going to do the job as soon as he had finished the fence he was on. I have not been out since to see if the job has been completed. roadside drain from Torr’s outlet to Hill’s centre boundary. Spoil has been removed from bottom of drain which stock had knocked in.

“I inspected Torr’s drain and found a portion of the drain in a filthy state. The trouble has been from the cowshed.

“Hauraki roadside drain. —Pipes across Ngataipua road have been cleaned. There are still a few chains of this drain to be completed'. To take the bottom up will have to stand over till there is water.

“Piako roadside drain, south side. — Cattle have been getting down and starting to damage the batter of the drain. Tin’s is along a portion of Mr Hicks’ boundary. The trouble is the fence needs repairing.” The clerk, Mr F. S. R. Kent, was instructed to advise Mr Hicks that the pollution must be stopped. "Willow extension drain from Te Kauri No. 1 to Miller-Hamilton outlet. —This job has been completed. "Te Kauri No. 1 drain. —Stock have been getting out on to the batter from the south side. “Wharepoa roadside drain, south side.—l reported a while back that this drain had slipped badly and I had the toes taken off the slips so as to allow the water to go d'own. These slips have now been removed. While removing the slips I found that cow manure was getting into this drain. The trouble is from Mrs Fisher’s cowshed. There is a drain right alongside her cowshed which leads into the board’s drain.”

It was agreed to advise Mrs A. Fisher that steps must be taken to prevent cowshed washings entering the Wharepoa drain.

“Wharepoa roadside drain, north side.—Stock have been getting out on to the batter of this drain. This is along Mr McCollum’s section. I spoke to Mi' Egan about the drainage from

the pig styes into the board’s drains.” It was decided to -instruct Mr McCollum that he must lift the culvert not installed to specification and instal it to the satisfaction of the board’s foreman. “Orongo boundary drain.—The work which had to be done by the dredge has now been completed. From where the dredge knocked off work to Hauraki road the bottom has been taken up and the north side of the drain has been re-battered. “I mentioned last • meeting about the winch being broken and the bolt being torn put of the concrete. I disconnected the winch and left it aside to be replaced again when time was available. During this time some kind person has removed the chain. They had to have a spanner to remove the nut as the chain is bolted on to the winch. “Mr R. Hutchinson asked me to see if the board would grant him permission to put a pipe culvert in the Orchard Eiast roadside drain, south side, to replace the bridge. This is opposite his cowshed just below his residence and also what size pipes would be needed. Mr H. Mc'Collum asked permission to put a pipe culvert in the Orchard East roadside drain, north side. It was arranged! that they should be 3ft. pipes and the pipes to be down 9in. below the bottom the drain. I noticed the other day he had put this culvert in and found they were not ini to specification, they were only about two inches in below the bottom of the drain. Mr Harwood and' Mr A. Fisher interviewed: 1 me about putting a pipe culvert in the Kopuarahi drain, south side, to replace the bridge. I told them, to get in touch with Mr Roy Green and see if he agreed about the pipe culvert going in. My idea was 3ft. pipes about 9 inches below the bottom of the drain.

"It was reported to me last week by two farmers that cattle were damaging the bottom of Soldiers’ drain. Mr McComb’s sharemilker also rang me up and’ told me about the cattle in the bottom of the drain and getting into Mr Hicks’ portion. He also told me. that some cattle had been crossing the drain into Mr McComb’s section. I inspected this drain with the sharemilker’s son. I did not see Mr McComb as he was away at his hill fam. I interviewed •Mr M'cComb next morning. We went along and inspected the bottom of the drain, also the place where the cattle were crossing over into Mr Hicks’ section. Mr McComb then told me about fencing that was arranged between him and the board.

“Ngatea roadside drain, south side, from floodgate to. second footbridge. —This job is not quite completed; it will still take another day for two men. It will now have to stand over until the fence is finished'.”