DRAINAGE IN MAKERUA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 8

DRAINAGE IN MAKERUA

BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Makerua Drainage Board was held to-day, Mr H. Seifert presiding. Also present were Messrs E. E. Mubin, G. Larsen, J. H. P. Liggins, W. Jaekson, T. D. Lynch and S. R. Young. FINANCE. The financial statement (presented by Mr N. I. Nielsen) showed a bank overdraft of £6590 4s 8d in the general account, as compared with £8353 11s 5d at the meeting on November 10. The margin available was £5569 15s 4d. No. 5 scheme wages paid were £SB (“over the fence” work), £l3 Is 3d (river and £4 6s 3d "(drain maintenance). The Unemployment Board had refunded £46 ss, and had still to pay £34 17s 6d. Rates received during the month were £lO3l Os 5d for 1932-33, £433 8s 3d for 193132 and £8 2s 7d for 1930-31, also £sl Is in 10 per cent, penalties. Unpaid Tates remaining were £13,770 7s 3d for 1932-33, £541 6s ; 2d and £67 9s Id penaltv for 1931-32 and £53 4s 9d and £6 12s 5d penalty for 1930-31.

“I think that your rates are improving very much and that we can be congratulated on the amount of 193132 rates,” stated Mr Nielsen. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

The overseer (Mr P. V. Tucker) submitted the following report of the month’s operations:—“The willow planting on the river bank has been completed and the fencing at Whitanui repaired. Three men are now engaged in deepening the connecting drain between No. 1 and No. 2 drains. This work is essential to save a lot of pumping by the Mangaore pump. With one man, I am working on the protection of the banks of the Tokomaru River. This work will be completed’ next week, and the repairs to the floodgate on tho Temukanui vegetation drain will be carried out then.” RATE PENALTY.

Consideration was given to outstanding rates and it was decided to take legal action in certain cases. The imposition of the 10 per cent, penalty was considered at length, the chairman stating that about £I7OO would be required by February 1 to meet payments of sinking fund, etc. It was decided that the penalty be charged on the first instalment due as from February 1. A motion by Mr Lynch to put the penalty on all rates on February 20 was lost by four votes to three.

HANSEN’S BEND COST,

A statement of expenditure at Hansen’s bend in respect to flood protection repairs, submitted by the clerk, showed that since August £682 3s 9d had been expended as follows: Transport of employees, £59 12s Jd; hire of horse teatns, £95 ss; hire ot tractor, £2O os, casual wages, £8 2s Od; cutting of willows, £10o; material, freight and cartage, £3O 12s bd\ overseer’s supervision, £54; No. o scheme wages, £404 6s.—The amount paid under the No. 5 scheme included £97 11s paid to men who could not work during a period owing to the flooded road making transport impossible and who received the amount under the instructions of the Inspector of Labour at Palmerston North. The cost of fencing on the job was not ascertainable when the statement was compiled. , ~ , ~ Tire chairman commented that the statement would indicate to ratepayers where much of the rate money was being employed CORRESPOND EN CE.

This engineer of the Horowhenua Countv Council (Mr J. T. M. Brewster) advised that the council raised no objection to fencing off portion of the No. 60 main highway north of the Kawa Stream. Tho fence was not to be nearer than 8 feet to the road and the board was to accept full responsibility for tire cost, future maintenance and liability for damage. Received. , . , The Unemployment Board advised that in connection with farmers and relief work and relief work under the No. 5 scheme, no person in occupation of farmlands irrespective of whether in the name of tire farmer or his wife could be given relief under the scheme. Each case, however might be considered for assistance under the 4a scheme for work on his own property.—Received. COLEY’S BEND CAMP.

Mr A. R. Aclieson, assistant-engineer to* the Public Works Department, acknowledged receipt of £5 as the first monthly payment of a cash contribution from the board to the Coley s Bend Camp. “Although I regret with T ou that tho Act does not permit of a ‘larger contribution from tlie board, nevertheless the contribution authorised is very welcome. I still consider that settlers could assist the camp very considerably with donations of foodstuffs at no very great inconvenienco or expense to themselves. Kir W Jackson has given a good lead in this direction with the donation of a fat bullock. I would be prepared to donate some of my time to canvassing tho district with a member or members of your board, as it seems to me that we cannot, expect great results without a personal appeal, concluded Mr Acheson. ...... It was decided to reply that board members could not a-t present spare time for a canvass of the district, but would again consider the matter after the busy season concludes.

GENERAL.

Tt was decided tliat the next meeting be held on the second Thursday in { i rcw attention to the increasing numbers of rabbits in the hoard’s area. They were damaging the board’s banks and were a serious menace. If action were not taken a rabbit board would bo required to control the hundreds of animals, which were living above ground in the fescue. It was decided to circularise all ratepayers requesting them to control the menace. Reporting on the Kara Bank, Mr Tucker stated: “I examined the bank from the bridge on the main road to "the function ■with the hill on Mr Guerin’s property, and found that some timelier is showing in places; otherwise the bank does not appear to be in a very bad state. That portion of the bank on Mr Guerin’s property, although heavily stocked, always has a big seepage in flood times, mostly on ground level. As regards the fencing, approximatelv 31 chains will be required from the Kara Road to Mr Guerin’s boundary From the Kara Road to the bridge on the main road an existing fence on the creek side can be slutted over to the roadside. Mr Guerin is not prepared to do any fencing.