MANAWATU DRAINAGE BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 8

MANAWATU DRAINAGE BOARD

Rangiota Floodgate

Work to be Expedited THE YEAR’S ESTIMATES The regular monthly meeting of tho Manawatu Drainage Board u r as held yesterday morning, Trustee P. J. Small in the chair. There u-erc also present: Trustees R. Tanner, D. Collis, ,\L. A. Eliott, D. Guy, E. Wood and E. IV, Collins.

The board’s estimates for the coining year u-ere tabled. Estimated administration expenses were shou-n as £Bl3 5s M-hile estimated costs of drain maintenance were £2555, making a total estimated expenditure of £3368 ss. Against this, tho estimated revenue M - as £3170 from general rates and with credit balance as at March 31, 1928, made a total of £3590 4s 4d. The estimated credit balance at March 31, 1930, M’as set down as £227 19s 4d. The estimates as framed M-ere adopted subject to the board’s right to make such small alterations as members should think fit.

The question of expediting the work at present proceeding on the Raugi\u floodgate alterations was discussed, Trustee Eliott advocating the installation of an electric flood light to enable a night shift to be M'orkoct. Ou-ing to the restricted space in M-hich tho men had to M-ork, only a small gang could be employed, and he M-as therefore of the opinion that, some steps should bo taken to hasten tho progress being made.

The engineer (Mr. A. H. hi. Wright) stated that if the weather held good, the M-ork M-ould be two-thirds finished at the end of this M-eek.

Trustee Eliott stressed the danger of tho weather breaking and bringing a flood doM-n while the work Mas still uncompleted. Trustee Tanner M’as of the 'opinion that the installation of electric light was not really necessary. The mcii could M-ork as M-ril in the restricted space by means of lanterns. Trustee Guy strongly supported Trustee Eliott’s contention that the M'ork should be expedited as much as possible and advocated that three shifts should be employed if necessary.

After some further discussion it was decided to'instruct the engineer to rush the work through in an endeavour to complete the alterations before the weather breaks.

Mr. R. G. Moore, of Rangiotu, wrote on behalf of a number of settlers occupying a block of land betn r cen the main Foxton road and the junction of the ManaM-atu and Oroua rivers, stating that they proposed to erect about 14 chains of banking to prevent flooding in their district. The bank would run from the floodgate on Blackmorc’s drain to the bank of the Oroua river, and tbs settlers concerned wished to know M-hether the board would subsidise the cost of the work.

Tho matter was briefly discussed, Trustee Eliott stating thait he was strongly in favour of the board helping ratepayers who endeavoured to help themselves. The chairman explained the location of the bank, which it was proposed to place across a hollow through which the flood water ran. It was decided that the board should inspect the work on its completion and decide upon the amount of the subsidy to be given.

It was decided that the board should inspect the work at the Mangaone outlet on Monday, May 13, and that representatives of the Kairanga County Council, Palmerston North Borough Council and Manawatu Racing Club be asked to attend.

The engineer M-as authorised to make arrangements with the Public Works Department in connection with the protection of the new cut in the Mangaone made by the department, while carrying out the deviation works. Accounts totalling £933 11s 3d were passed for payment. Engineer’s Report.

The engineer (Mr.. A. H. M. Wright) reported that the M'ork of cutting through the existing structure of the floodgate at Rangiotu and the. construction of an additional culvert to increase watciM’ay had been proceeded M-ith. CHving to tho restricted space in M-hich the men had to M-ork only a limited number could be employed. Under the circumstances fair progress Mas being made. Official advice had been received from the High-way Board authorising the carrying out of the M-ork. The raising of the stop-bank on the Mangaone stream immediately above the railway deviation had been proceeded with, M-hilc the cutting out and removal of M’illows and obstructions from the Mangaone belou- Foxton line had been completed-. The following lengths of drain cleaning contracts had been let during the month:—Kairanga-Bunnythorpe road drain, 325 chains; boundary drain, IS2 chains; Curmodv’s drain from the junction of Bourke’s drain to the junction of the Locku-ood road, Leigh’s drain, 209 chains. Tho first tM-o contracts had been commenced and the other two M - ould be.started this week.

The following lengths of drains had been cleaned out by day labour during the month: —Bourke’s drain, 284 chains; Alain drain, 200 chains; No. 1 Aorangi, 302 chains; Blackmorn’s drain, 92 chains; Whiskey Creek, 15 chains; Foxton line, 284 chains; No. -4 line drain, 92 chains; Kairanga-Bunnythorpe (top end), 32 chains; total, 1301 chains.