MAKERUA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 7

MAKERUA DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Makerua Drainage Board was held to-day, Mr H SSeifert presiding. Also present were Messrs W. Jackson, T. D. Lynch, E. E. Mabin, G. Larsen and J. H. P. Liggins. -iv The financial report, submitted by Mr N. I. Nielsen, showed a bank overdraft of £8257 9s 6d in the general account, the overdraft at the previous meeting being £BISO 13s lOd. There was a margin of £3902 10s 6d before the limit was reached. In October, 1931, the overdraft was £9340 14s sd, but there were no sinking fund payments in arrear then. No. 5 scheme wages paid out during the month were £173 11s 6d on river protection and £6B 4s 6d on “over the fence” work. Transport of No. 5 scheme workers had cost £25 4s for five weeks plant expenses had been £35 14s lid and interest on the overdraft £196 10s 6d. Lodgment included £386 14s in No. 5 scheme wage refunds, £24 11s 7d of 1930-31 rates £202 Is 3d of 1931-32 rates and £62 3s lid of 1932-33 rates. The Unemployment Board had still to refund £IOO 10s. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

The overseer (Mr P. V. Tucker) submitted the following general report:— “The protection work at Hansen’s Bend has been completed, with the exception of ten chains of fencing, and boundary fences to bo repaired where cut. Willows have been planted from nine chains above Mr Cooksley’s boundary, down to the old Matai Mill, and the fence shifted closer to the river bank, using matai posts. The dredge channel has been drained, and this should strengthen the bank, as the seepage from the water held in the channel after floods in the past was the cause of the bank slipping.”—The report was adopted.

COLEY’S BEND. The overseer reported on the position at Coley’s Bend as follows:—_ “I have again examined the river bank at Coley’s Bend, and found that no further damage has occurred since my report of September 5. Judging by the sand spit opposite, it apepared to me that the next flood will strike at a point above the growing willows. If the pressure is turned at this point I believe that the present protection will hold. As regards the stop bank, I consider this needs building up to the level of the piece of bank, as in its present state the bank is not safe for a flood of more than 10ft rise at Fitzherbert.”

With regard to the single men’s camp at Coley’s Bend, the assistant engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr A. R. Acheson, advised that there was a definite risk of the Unemployment Board closing the camp in favour of other more productive and better subsidised schemes and he suggested that means be provided for assisting the camp in the matter of produce, etc. He suggested the appointment of a camp committee to go into the matter.

“It is possible that many farmers in the Makerua district consider that they receive no benefit _ from the scheme, but it is my considered opinion that if it had hot been for the relief afforded by the water flowing tlirough and over the upper cut the bank at Coley’s Bend would have failed during the last flood, and this would have been a very serious matter for the whole district. I was on the spot during the worst of the flood and watched the position very closely.” added Mr Acheson. ■ He said that the camp could not keep within the allocation of 22s 6d to 25s per man per week without assistance and it was logical that this should come from the people of the Makerua district. The chairman said that, in regard to Mr Acheson’s letter, the farmers might find it difficult to assist the camp. , , . , Mr Mabin expressed the view that all should help. The district could be split up for canvassing. Messrs Lynch and Larsen pointed to the difficulty ratepayers already had in meeting their own commitments. It was eventually decided that the clerk and Mr Mabin ascertain if the board could vote a small sum to the funds. Mr Jackson intimated that he would donate a fat bullock for the food. “I think that we could give the overseer instructions to proceed with the [heightening of the bank, although it ijs not very urgent,” said the chairman when the board discussed the [position as commented on in the overseer’s report. The willow planting ['should first be completed, however, he

■added. „ , , j Mr Mabin referred to the urgency iof the bank strengthening work, as a :big flood might prove dangerous. It was decided that the matter be ileft to the chairman to confer with the overseer. The Unemployment Board explained [the operation of the amended daily : rates of pay under the No. 5 scheme Sand the manner in which the work [could be arranged.—Received. GENERAL.

Considerable time was spent by the hoard in discussing outstanding rates. [The defaulting ratepayers were considerod individually and in certain cases it was decided to take legal action where no definite offers had been made. The chairman said the position was fairly satisfactory in comparison with that of other local bodies. The chairman reported that an inspection had been made of the culvert and flood protection bank on Kingston Road. There seemed to be little damage although one bank appeared to be leaking slightly. The seepage could be stopped eventually, but there was really little water with which to contend. He thought that grazing would help to show the weak places. ‘‘There is no urgency, but tlie work will li&v© to be done before , next winter,” he added. It was decided to take steps in regard to grazing.