Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 194, 19 August 1935, Page 2

Foxton

From Our Own Correspondent. Drainage Eoard Affairs.

Trustee J. Chrystall (chairman) presided over the monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board. Also present were Trustees W. E. Barber, F. Woods, D. Purcell and the clerk and treasurer (Mr G. V. Fraser). The treasurer in his statement reported that the bank balance at date was £579 9s lOd in credit. The balances of the main ledger accounts were as follow: General account, credit. £506 5s 3d; interest account, credit, £73 4s 7d. Since the current rate demands were issued payments totalling £B4l 3s Id had been received. Of this amount £GBG 10s had been in respect of general rates and £154 7s Id represented special rates. Discount's amounting to £29 16s lOd had been allowed. The amount of current rates outstanding were £240 17s 0d . general and £73 4s 5d special. The foreman (Mr T. A. Robinson) reported that during the month a good deal of repair work was carried out at the diagonal flood-gates on the south approach, where, owing to the numerous lloods during the past two months, the water had found its way through the embankment and was also coming up through the earth around the piles. The facing planks encasing the embankment were found to have rotted away and had been replaced. Carter’s drain was dragged over a distance of S 6 chains and Smith’s was similarly treated—-a distance of 53 chains. Both of these drains were now working well but a number of slips would have to bo removed from each when the water reaches a normal level again. The contractors in Cook’s drain were held up owing to flood water after having completed 25 chains. Silt had been removed from the main drain floodgates on several occasions during the month as wall as flood debris from the drain fences and bridges. A request was received from Mr * H. Berry for the expediting of the cleaning of Cook’s drains as in its present state it was affecting his flax area and 30 men were thrown out of employment. The chairman said that the trouble had been due to the contractor’s becoming ill. The position, however, had been tremendously hampered by floods. From a flood point of view, the winter had been the worst for 20 years. Since early in May the Manawatu river had been in an almost continual state of flood. The Minister of Employment sought information as to the value of work done for tho board under the No. 5 scheme. This matter was referred to the secretary, but a rougn estimate of the value of the work carried out was £2,000. Mr F. S. Easton wrote notifying the board that he objected to any grass removal or other work on the drain side of his concrete wall along Langley’s north drain. —The letter was received. Dr A. li. E. Wall wrote enclosing a cheque in payment of rates, less £l4 10s which he had deducted as the value of sheep drowned in Smith’s drain during the past year. Dr Wall stated that he had continually written the board complaining about the state of tho drain, which lotters, he alleged, had been ignored, hence the deduction for the loss sustained. The clerk read a copy of the letter he had forwarded to Dr Wall in reply, pointing- out that the deduction from tho rate demand meant that he would lose the discount offered for prompt payment unless the account was paid In full by duo date. Tho letter was approved and it was also decided to advise Dr Wall that the loss of stock in drains was quite a common occurrence and that tho board could not be held responsible for tho loss. Messrs Stevens, Easton and Austin wrote advising tho board that the Diagonal drain floodgate bridge had originally been constructed to provide access to various lands and as the board had taken over this bridge, it was bound to maintain it. The bridge was in an unsafe condition and as it carried a good deal of traflio the board would bo held responsible for any damage sustained as a result. It was decided to advise Messrs Stevens, Easton and Austin that when tho board erected now floodgates in the drain, it allowed Mr Easton the use of the old gates for the erection of a bridge over the drain and consequently the board could not bo held responsible. The Poplar Flaxmilling Company wrote declining to agree to the cutting of a gap in the flood bank on their property.— Received.

Dr A. H. E. Wall wrote concerning the breach in the flood bank at Smith’s,

stating that ho would hold the board liable for any loss or damage sustained as a result of the breach.

Mr T. J. Newth wrote in similar strain, stating that his home was endangered. Mr W. H. Smith also wrote requiring the board to make good the damaged bank.

It was decided to obtain a legal opinion as to the board’s position in regard to the bank and also to advise Mr Smith that the board was quite prepared to erect the same length of new bank as existed in the old bank oh his property but that the board was not prepared to take over any new banking; also that tho board was prepared to undertake this work as oson as Mr Smith was ready to link up with the new bank to bo erected. It was added that In regard to any alteration in the line of the proposed bank, the board was quite prepared to meet Mr Smith and suggested a conference to this end.

Mr F. Bryant wroto asking the board to take over his boundary drain, but it was decided to advise Mr Bryant that the board was not prepared to take over any new drains. Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

The silver jubilee of the Presbyterian Ladies’ Social Guild attracted an excellent attendance, the Masonic hall being fllled to capacity. A most enjoyable evening Was spent, all entertaining programme of items being interspersed with dancing A happy little Interlude took place, when Kev. A. Fotheringham called upon Mrs John Ross to accept a small token of appreciation of her 25 years’ secretaryship to tho guild and as a willing and faithful member of the Church. On receiving the gift, Mrs Ross was presented with a bouquet by little Miss Isobel Tilcombe, after which the recipient was accorded musical honours. Mr John Ross extended thanks on behalf of Mrs Ross. Slipper was served by the members of the Guild, during which music received from Station 2YA proved a very pleasing innovation. The two-tiered birthday cake, a feature of the supper, which was made by Mrs R. N. Speirs and Miss B. Speirs, and iced by Mrs W. R. McKenzie, was cut by the president of the guild (Mrs D. R. Barron).