Drainage Affairs In the Makerua

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 262, 9 November 1934, Page 8

Drainage Affairs In the Makerua

FIRST MEETING OF NEWLYELECTED BOARD. The first meeting of the recentlyelected Makerua Drainage Board was held yesterday. Trustees W. Jackson, T. D. Lynch, W. J. Ross, G. Larsen, E. E. Mabin, anti J. D. Aitchison -were present and in the absence of Trustee H. Seifert, Trustee Jackson was elected to the chair. The first business was the election of a chairman for the term and proposing that Mr. Seifert be re-elected, Mr. Mabin stated that. Mr. Seifert was tho best man for the job and that the ratepayers were particularly fortunato in having his services. The motion was carried unanimously. The chairman then proposed that Mr. Seifert be granted a month’s leave of absence, at the same timo extending a wclcomo to Messrs. Roll and Aitchison, tho new members of the board. Mr. Seifert, who has hold tho position for three years, was rc-clected. It was then resolved that the board’s appreciation of the services of Messrs. .T. H. P. Liggins (Tokomaru) and S. R. Young (Opiki), tho retiring members, be placed on record. Overseer’s Report. The report submitted by the overseer (Mr. P. Y. Tucker) was as follows: — "The protecting and planting of willows at Corlett’s will be completed this week and repairs to the protection of Coley’s bend will be started next week, further erosion having occurred in the upper portion of this work. The fencing at Whitanui was temporarily replaced pending the arrival of truck of posts. These posts have now arrived and a permanent fenco will be erected at once. The protection at Kemp’s bend has been extended for a further six chains up stream, and 2300 willows planted and fenced. The planting of the whole length of Kemp’s down to low water has been carried out. In all cases willows planted this season have made exceptionally good growth, there having been more Tain and less westerly wind than in previous years. The Mangaore pump is out of action, a bottom bearing evidently seizing, and although I have freed it to some extent, a thorough overhauling is necessary, before it can bo used. I have been in touch with Messrs. Dickie and Co., aud they have promised to attend to it as soon as men aro available. It would be advisable to have tho Okuku pump overhauled at the same time as the vibration is so great that the controls will be damaged if run to any extent. As regards tho Mukapai pump, I wish to know whether the line is to be kept in repair or taken down.”—The Tcport was adopted. Tho overseer further reported that the pontoon dredgo in tho Mangaore stream was fast falling to pieces and that the machinery was almost covered with silt.—lt was resolved that a special report concerning the machinery and the dredge, be prepared for next meeting.

Correspondence. The engineer of the Horowhcnua Electric Tower Eoard (Mr. J. A. Smith) wrote reporting that the power line the board had running from the Mukapai flax mill for about 70 chains to‘a pump on the bank of the Tokomaru stream, though it had been cut off from the power for a considerable time, required attention near the railway crossing, where one of the poles west of the railway and on the edge of the drain, had been scoured out and required moving immediately.—lt was agreed that the matter be referred to the overseer, permission to shift the pole to be obtained from the Power Board’s engineer. Mr. E. Fisher wrote, drawing the attention of the board to the fact of its use of a certain type cf gToyno fer the prevention of erosion in the Manawatu river within its district, stating that he held letters patent scaled and signed by the Begistrar of Patents, granting him the privilege and exclusive use of this particular groyne for New Zealand and its dependencies. The writer added that his terms for the use of this type of groyne were the payment of a royalty equal to 10 per cent, of the actual cost of such constructions excepting in cases where ho was engaged to do the technical work in connection with the constrnction, when his commission would be 10 per cent, of the cost. He suggested a discussion with Ihc board with a view to an amicable and satisfactory arrangement. Tho chairman remarked that the board had been using tho same sort of groynes since it had been formed. Mr. Lynch thought Mr. Fisher should bo advised of this. Tho chairman: That type of groyne has been used on the river for 30 years. Mr. Lynch: Where we slipped was in not taking out the patent. Mr. Mabin: We arc not the only ones using the groyne. The chairman: Sonic of those groynes cost up to £4OO. It was decided to defer tho discussion until the December meeting. Mr. Mabin remarked that lie could not see how there was a patent in the groynes as it was the only way of putting them in. Tiio chairman’s answer was, "It is a good patent if you can collect 10 per cent, of the cost.” The matter of allowing rebate on rates for 1935-30 paid within a certain time of due date, was deferred until next meeting. It was remarked that though ratepayers could afford to pay, they would benefit to a certain extent and that the board would save something in bank interest, it would in the 1 long run be the poor man who would have to foot the bill. Finance Statement. The finauce statement to date of meeting, was as follows: — Intersecting channel lean, £1350, credit £9B 19s; pumping plant loan £315, debit £315; general account, bank overdraft 11/10/34, £4708 7s Id, plus No. 5 schemewages, £125 12s Gd; drain maintenance, £S 18s Gd; river maintenance,

£GG 2s; other amounts, £348 8s Id; total, £5056 15s 2d. Less lodgments since 11/10/34, £3lO 12s 3d. Bank overdraft at S/11/34, £4746 2s lid. Bates outstanding: 1933-34 rates unpaid at 31/3/34, £4532 12s sd; since paid, £3586 7s; outstanding, £946 5s sd. 1932-33 rates unpaid at 31/3/34, £2S7 12s 8d; since paid, £144 15s 6d; outstanding, £142 17s 2d. Total outstanding, £IOB9 2s 7d. Including the rates for the present term, the total outstanding is £11,410 16s 7d. The report was adopted.