MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 139, 12 May 1930, Page 9

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, May 10. The monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board was presided over by Mr J. Chrystall. (chairman). Also present were Messrs B. G. Gower, W. E. Barber and D. Purcell. The troaeurer reported as follows: Bank New Zealand account, in debit £ll7 4s; Post pflioe Savings Bank account, in credit £6O 15s 4d. The balances of the main working accounts are: General account, in debit £134 16s 9d; interest account, in credit £l7 12s 9d; workers’ dwelling loan account, in credit £6O 15s 4d. Accounts amounting to £238 12s 5d wore passed for payment. The foreman (Mr Robinson) reported on the month’s working. The chairman said he had inspected Kari Kari North Drain and found that the contractor had done excellent work there, especially in view of the previous bad state of the swan grass in the locality. The chairman submitted a report on the recent conference held in Palmerston North to discuss the proposed amendments to the Land Drainage Act. He said that possibly a deputation would wait on the Minister in this connection at some future date as members agreed that such action was very necessary. Mr Barber asked that the foreman bo instructed to carry the fall from where ho was working in Carter’s drain right through to the end. Tho board had nevor previously had an opportunity of doing this work, he eaid, and he thought it should be undertaken now as the ratepayers in that area were entitled to some relief. Mr Gower endorsed Mr Barber’s sug gestion and it was decided to instruct the foreman accordingly. Tlie chairman said that Dr. Wall had put a man on in Wall’s Outlet Drain to work in conjunction with tho contractor and very good work was being carried out and the drain was being deepened considerably. Mr Gower mentioned the fact that serious damage was being done to drains in the board’s area by cattlo in the hot weather. Legally, he said, owners of stock were liable for any damage done by stock to board drains, but he did not think that stock owners realised this or the seriousness of the damage. It was certainly not fair to the board that owners should allow their stock to tramp in the drains as it added considerably to maintenance costs.