MANAWATU DRAINAGE BOARD.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2124, 16 May 1922, Page 7

MANAWATU DRAINAGE BOARD.

INAUGURAL MEETING. The first meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board was held yesterday, Mr E. Wood presiding. There were also present Trustees A. Lancaster, D. Prouse, P. J. Small, D. Collis, J. Collis, and N. P. Nielsen. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of otlicers resulted: Chairman, Mr E. Wood; treasurer, clerk and returning officer, Mr F. W. Connell; assistant clerk, and deputy returning ollicer, Mr N. Nielsen; overseer, Mr J. Corman. It was agreed to hold the matter of appointing and engineer over in the meantime. Mr F. H. Cooke was appointed solicitor. On the motion of Mr D. Collis, the chairman and clerk were authorised to interview the board's solicitor regarding the matter of classification in the board's district, and report upon the progress made at next meeting. It was resolved that the rates to be collected in the. district be collected on the basis of unimproved values, and that the Board should meet on the iirst Monday in each week at 10.30 a.m. On the motion of Mr Prouse, it was decided that the board dispose of its land. A tour of inspection of the board's drains is to be made to-day. It was decided to call tenders for the cleaning of Kawau creek, Ryman's drain, Baisillie's drain, and Epper Aorangi, and that the board's men clean the Government reserve and Bennett's drain. It was resolved that, the chairman and clerk be authorised to seal the board's approval to the Rangiotu ratepayers' petition to be included in the board's district. Accounts amounting to £24 18/G were passed for payment. The financial statement presented to the meeting showed that the combined board commenced operations with a credit balance of £437 IS/. A report from Mr A. H. M. Wright was read to the effect that the Aorangi Land Drainage Board had arranged with him at its last meeting co carry on works on its behalf, until such time as the new combined board came into existence, consulting with its chairman when necessary. He stated that the Bourke drain contract of 1801 chains had been let to Messrs Devonport and Craig at 5/ per chain, and although they had been over the whole length, certain works still remained to be done before the contract could be considered to be satisfactorily completed. Progress payment totalling £27 15/ had been made on this contract. Another of the Bourke drain contracts had been let to Messrs Devonport and Craig at 5/ per »chain, though they later abandoned the contract. Fresh tenders had been called and that of ,Mr J. Bendtsen at 7/ per chain was accepted He was now working on this contract, though none of the work had yet been passed or payments made. Bourke'-g drain contract of 106 chains had also been let to him. and with the exception of the lower 14 chains was satisfactorily completed. The whole length of Carmody's drain had been let to Mr. H. H. MeKenzie at a contract price of 3/1' per chain, while the No. 2 drain contract had been let to Mr vV. G. Murdoch at 4/11. The former work was more than half completed, While Mr Wright stated, in regard to the latter contract, that although chc work done had been inspected none had yet been passed, a fair amount 0? work being still required before it :an be considered satisfactory. One payment of £ls had been made on this contract.