MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 3

MOUTOA DRAINAGE BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOX TON, July 11. The monthlv meeting of the Moutoa Drain age Board was held on Thursday and was presided over by Trustee .1.. CJhrystall (chairman). The foreman (Mr T. A. Robinson) reported that during the month tho top section of the Main Drain was cleared for a distance of 38 chains, completing this work. ’The board’s gang finished up on June 13 and since that date he had been fully occupied in removing flood debris from drains. The foreman added that he had never seen oiieli a great volume of water passing through the gates before and, strange to say, both the Main Drain and Diagonal Drain floodgates operated the same day, which had never occurred previously as far as ho knew. This he attributed to the removal of all willow trees in (lie drain, giving the water an unretarded flow. . ,

Tho chairman said (he janibing of logs in tiie new doors was a serious matter. Trustee 11. Seifert Q uid that the Makcrua Drainage Board was faced with similar trouble and kept spare gates for replacing damaged ones. It was decided to go into the question of procuring netting for the drams. Tho report was adopted. 'Trustee Barber reported that tiie flood hank between Air W. 11. Smith’s and Air Ryder’s properties at Aloutoa was threatened by erosion. During the last flood tho river had eaten right into tho too of 'the bank, which was now in danger of slipping into tiie river. Trustee Purcell said that opposite Ail* Newth’s property the point had been cut away and tiie bank was now being built, up again making conditions safer. The chairman: The board can't take on any more liability in the matter of banking. Tho bank referred to by Trustee Barber is a private one. Trustee Barber: The position is serious, however. The treasurer reported that the bank account to date was in .credit to the extent of £665 5* 7d. During the month 'rates had been paid freely and to date £IOOO bad boon received, mostly current rates, leaving only about £3OO outstanding. The report was adopted and accounts amounting to £172 9s id were passed for payment. The Audit Office returned the board’s balance sheet with a tag attached —a comment to the effect that the practice of members iu countersigning cheques in blank form was opposed to the exercise by members of ordinary business precautions.