LAND DRAINAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 245, 13 September 1935, Page 10

LAND DRAINAGE

MAKERUA BOARD. The meeting of the Makerua Drainage Board was concluded yesterday afternoon, Mr W. Jackson presiding as deputy-chairman. It was reported that after an inspection and minor repairs by a technician, the Okuku pump was now working hotter and with minimised vibration. The board, while satisfied with the improvement, decided to reconsider the pump later, and to endeavour in the dry weather to raise the impeller to a higher level. The clerk reported having written to tiie Public Works Department and the Commisisoner of Crown Lands urging on them the gravity of the strained condition of protection works at Coley’s bend (Taupunga cut). If the protection work should be broken through the whole of the Makerua, particularly the lower portion, would be inundated and ratepayers possibly ruined. The only hope was to have the cut working more efficiently. It; was imperative that something be done, and the board could not undertake any major work. The Commissioner of Crown Lands replied that he was in touch with the Public Works Department regarding protection at Coley’s bend, and would advise later if there was anything to report. The district engineer of the department (Air H. H. Sharp) advised that he would arrange for an inspection ot the Taupunga cut at the first opportunity. But as the whole of the staff in this area was extremely busy at present in connection with a number of urgent works, no promise of an immediate report could be made. Alessrs W. S. Long and R. L. Tip pier waited on the board asking it to undertake repairs to a floodgate at the corner of the main rotul and Kara Road. The board decided to seek legal advice as to whether it was the authority responsible for the work. Air D. Collis wrote expressing thanks for the board’s message of sympathy. A memorandum from the Department of Labour reminded the board that relief labour could not be used on works for which prior approval had not been obtained. The Auditor-General returned the board's balance-sheet certified as correct.

Arising out of its recent, discussion of the matter, the Manawatu-Oroua River Board asked for co-operation in a deputation to the Minister of Finance on the proposal for a spillway at Hartley’s bend in the Alanavvatu River. —Trustee T. D. Lynch and Trustee Jackson were asked to represent tlie board. Some members were a little dubious as to the benefits that would accrue from the scheme, but were willing to co-operate in preliminary steps. The financial statement included the following items of expenditure: Drain maintenance, £33 16s 8d; river maintenance, £l5O 11s lid; store shed, £39 9s 8d; pumping plant expenses, £4 15s Id. Lodgments included: No. 5 scheme wages refunded, £ll 12s; rates for year 193-1-35, £283 14s lid. A total of £1656 14s lid of rates was outstanding, of which sum £lll9 16s lid was for the year 1934-35, and the remainder for arrears.