MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4579, 14 March 1931, Page 2

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

AIONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board was held in the Board's otli.-e on Thursday evening, presided over by Air J. ChrystaJl (chairman). Also present were Trustees W. S. Carter (P.N.), AY E. Barber, B. G. Gower, D. Purcell aud the secretary (Air. G. \ r . Fraser). TB EA S URER’ S REPORT. The treasurer reported that the main ledger balances were as follows: —General A/e. at credit, £lls 15/1); Interest, credit, £2B 13/5; V,< Hiker’s Dwelling Loan A/c. credit, £B3 7/4. During the month £194 19/- was paid nut to workers under the No. 5 unemployment relief scheme, which amount had 'been recovered from I lie local certifying officer. Accounts amounting to £329 7/10 were passed for payment. FOREAIAN’S REPORT. The foreman (Air. T. A. Robinsou) reported us follows: — During the month the Board’s own gang of four men removed 74 chains of the bank of soil along the Kara South drain, thus completing the 33 chains; cleaned three miles, tti chains of the Main Drain from the floodgates to Langley’s Bridge. It was found that there was a good deal of work necessary in places and the men did remarkably well on this drain, especially in view of the fact that Mr. England was away for several days owing to his mother being an earthquake victim. Air. Purcell’s outlet drain was also cleaned for a distance of seven and aLair chains. The gang is at present working on the 93 chains of swan grass in Mr. Easton’s property. Experiments were carried out with the weed killer procured by the Board with good results in connection with swan grass. The Board’s work under the No. 5 scheine was operaling quite well and the Board now has II men to draw from over the five days weekly. To date 22 chains of drain 10ft. x 4ft. bin.' has been attended to and 7 chains opened up ready to take the timber out. Considerably more timber Inis been encountered at the W’hirokino end where the men are now working than was anticipated, bn! it lias been found easier to handle than that in the syndicate block with the result that only a small amount, of explosives has been used. If i lie quota of men is maintained lbe gang should reach Robinson’s Bend within a fortnight, weather permitting, but the indications are that the men are dwindling rather Ilian increasing. The report, was adopted and the secretary was instructed to make inquiries in regard to the transport of the men under the No. 5 scheme. STUMPING WORK. Mr. Carter introduced the matter of removing the stumps from Leans Drain. This was essential to ihe back country, he said, and while the other widening work lower down was necessary a vital work such as this should not be overlooked. Mr. W. E. Barber said the residents of the upper Moutoa had been handicapped through not having a good outlet for sixteen years and it was time something was done. Ibe drain bad not been neglected. If bad been cleaned but stumps had prevented a good fall and the water ran iliacjki on to the properties, with the result that on the properties concerned it was impossible to use the back areas in winter and on others cattle were practically bogged. He strongly recommended some relief. It was decided to leave the matter of obtaining a man for this work in the hands of the chairman and Air. Barber. UNEMPLOYMENT MATTERS. The Palmerston North Unemployment Committee wrote asking for particulars in regard to the Board’s work and transport facilities in order that men could be sent from Palmerston North and Shannon. — Left to the secretary. The Fox-ton Unemployment Committee asked that the Board contribute 1/G .per week l ‘towards defraying petty expenses in connection with the administration of the unemployment schemes. —-Agreed to. The Foxton Women’s Institute wrote thanking the Board for its grant of £lO 10/- towards earthquake relief. The Mayor of Hastings also wrote thanking the Board for its letter and practical expression of sympathy.