ARATANGATA DRAIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 117, 14 April 1930, Page 2

ARATANGATA DRAIN

REQUEST FOR CLEANING. Probably the most oft-recurring item on the Horowhenua County Council’s order paper for many years has been tho Aratangata drain. With the floodgate at the mouth disposed of, the council were rid of a portion of their liability, but on Saturday they received a request for cleaning, the matter being referred to tho estimates. Mr Andrew Guy wrote, on behalf of himself and Mrs Kidel, requesting the council to clean out the Aratangata drAin and the public drain running along the road and through his property. Very little money had been spent on the former by the council and not one penny on the latter. In support of his application Mr Guy waited upon the council. It was the portion of tho Aratangata drain flowing through his and Mrs Kidd’s property that he was chiefly concerned with. It did not greatly matter if the other was not done. r lhe council had now been relieved of all liability in connection with the floodgate. After Mr Guy had withdrawn, Cr, Gimblett said he was very disappointed. They had just given £IOO to the floodgate and now 'they were greeted with another request. Cr. Catley stated that tho council had a legal liability. They also had a morol liability. The chairman (Cr. Monk); AA ny a moral liability? . . Cr. Catley: It’s a public drain. There’s no doubt that we have been met in the construction of the floodgate. What I object to is this request, coming forward at this time of the year. The work will be more expensive and lees effective than at the right time of the year. The chairman: Now is the right time. ' ' . /■

Cr". Catley : What, with the winter coming on. Continuing, Cr. Catley stated that settlers above Mr Guy derived benefit from the drain._ He had been expecting this application, but he did not feel inclined to see anything done yet. He moved that the matter be referred to the estimates. Cr. Gimblett: I second that. If anybody talks about raising rates to do' theiob I’m through. 1 would walk off the council. Cr. Jensen suggested that the councillors for the Wliirokino riding should go into the matter before the meeting at which the estimates were discussed. Cr. Catley: We’d need the chairman to help us agree. The chairman: you know I have very definite views on the matter. Cr. Catley stated that tho work, done properly, would cost about £SOO. The motion was carried:’ ' " ■ Later in the meeting Cr. Gimblett suggested that the Manawatu-Oroiia River Board ought to take the drain. The chairman asked what Cr. Gimblett thought the council should do. Cr. Gimblett replied that he had only made a suggestion that could be considered by tno council later.