DRAINAGE WORKS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 162, 10 June 1929, Page 8

DRAINAGE WORKS

MANAWATU BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board was held to-day, Mr P. J. Small presiding. Other trustees present were Messrs Guy, Wood, Eliott, Tanner and D. Collis. _ The chairman reported on the inspection of the Mangaone outlet by the representatives of the Borough Council, the Racing Club, the Kair.anga County Council and the board. , The work had proved thoroughly satisfactory and the cost had been about £7O, a most reasonable amount. ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The engineer, Mr A. H. M. Wright, reported as follows: Kairanga-Bunnythorpo Road Drain. •—The contract tor cleaning out this drain has been completed. Leighs Drain: The cleaning of this drain has also been completed. Boundary Drain: This contract is still in hand. Carmody’s Druin: This contract is abou4> lialf completed, but the waters have temporarily prevented work being proceeded with. Day labour: A total length of 1430 chains (nearly 18 miles) ot drains has been cleaned out by day-labour during the month, details of which are as follow: Whisky Creek, IGO chains; No. 1 Line, 264$ chains; Government Reserve, 120 chains; Longbum-Rongotea, lioi chains; Ryman’s and Balsiliie s, 81 chains; No. 4 Line, H 7 chains: Carmody’s, 40 chains; R. D. Knight 6 4/ chains; lliddiford’s and Wingates, 180 chains; Mitchell’s, 23 chains; Prouse s, Id chains; Wall’s, 6 chains; RairangaBunnythorpe. 80 chains; Burred s, b 0 chains; Gill Hansen’s, 50 chains, Mangaone Stream: About 30 chains o jAop-bank have been erected in Messrs Russell’s and Bennett’s property. Ihe work of removing the blocks in the outlet has been commenced and will be completed when the level of the water permits. Owing to high level o water in the drains it was only during the last few days that it was possible to work the new bullock team. However, good work was done, and we are sure that this experiment in keeping larger drains clear will proye both etfective and economical. Ihe board s thanks are due to Messrs Tanner and Callesen for grazing the bullocks during the time the low-lying lands were flooded. GENERAL. - The ltuakura Swamp Amalgamation Committee forwarded the following resolution: —“That river and drainage boards operating in the Waikato, flauraki Plains, Manawatu and Kaitaia districts and the Land Drainage Board be written to asking them to take up with their solicitors the question ot the necessity for the drastic amendment of the Land Drainage A.ct and thereafter to oblige this committee with an expression of their views. It was decided to reply stating that the Drainage Boards' Association had the matter in hand. Mr H. H. Hutchison, representing Mr R. A. Bennott, of Rangitikei Line, wrote stating that the raising of the right or west bank of the Mangaone Stream would cause serious damage to Mr Bennett’s property unless the left bank was raised to the same level. The engineer reported that the raising ot the left bank was in progress. The assistant engineer of the i übhc Department wrote authorising necessary protection works on the Mangaone Stream diversion at the railway deviation, the department to bear the cost, provided, however that it approved of the plans and estimates.—The engineer reported that he had replied agreeing to the proposal, his action being endorsed. It was decided that, at the completion of cleaning operations, should the finances allow, stumps be removed from lliddiford’s and Wingate s Drain. Leave of absence wps granted. Mr L. W. I- Collins. , ~ Mr Wood drew attention to the growth of gorse between Rangitikei Line and Richardson’s Line, and it was decided to refer the matter to the Agricultural Department. It was resolved to advertise the board’s intention to levy rates on-the tame scale as last year.