Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 273, 18 November 1936, Page 2

Foxton

From Our Own Correspondent Drainage Board Affairs. Mr J. Ciirystall (chairman) presided over the monthly meeting of the Moutoa Drainage Board. The chairman made reference to the passing of tho late Dr. E. M. Wyllie, and a motion of condolence with tho relatives was passed in silence.. The treasurer presented his monthly statement, which showed that the credit balance at the Bank of New Zealand amounted to £99 4s Sd. The balances of the main ledger accounts were as follow:—General account, in debit, £ll 10s 2d; interest account, in credit, £lll Os lOd. The board’s foreman (Mr T. A. Robinson), in his monthly report, stated that since last meeting, the cleaning of Langley's, South and Seifert’s drains had been completed for a distance of 34 chains Twenty chains of soil on the right bank had been shovelled back, making a totu, of 50 chains and leaving 12 chains to be finished. At a future date, when conditions were not suitable for drain-cleaning, the work of removing the soil on the left-hand side ot the drain, would bo continued as the banks were falling owing to the overhanging weight of sand. Prior to removing tho stumps from the .Mile drain, it was necessary to clean the swangrass

from Langley’s north drain along tho concrete wall to the junction of the Mile drain, a distance of 25 chains. Hardwood frames and wire-netting had been erected at 'the Diagonal floodgates, one on each side. Tho lrame on the river side was 10 feet high and 6G feet from the gates, in a most suitable position. The irame on the drain side was eight feet high and 30 feet from tho gates, also in a suitable position. After tho recent fresh in the river, tho debris arresters had proved most effective and it would probably be ' necessary to inspect tho gates only at times of flood. The chairman said that the placing of tho netting in the drains was an innovation which ho. thought might bo the means of saving the board a good deal ot expense in the w'ay of damage .to the floodgates by flood debris lodging in them. Twelve-gauge wire had been used. Outlets for Floodwaters. The chairman stated tiiat tho settlers of Whirokino and Moutoa were considerably perturbed about the proposed highway deviation at Whirokino. Mr Chrystall said that, together with Messrs W. E. Barber and D. Purcell, he hud made an inspection of tho locality and there met Mr B. G. Gower and settlers of the lower area. Tho settlers, said Mr Chrysia.ll, were very concerned about the lack of adequate outlets in the proposed highway work now being undertaken. The new road was being raised a considerable height and not suiucient outlets were being provided north of the Main drain. The position was that, during a flood, tho water came down into a pocket formed by sand hills a few chains south of the ramp across tho existing road. The only provision in the deviation was lor a twotoot culvert, where the water actually gathers and a 4ft. culvert at Uio other end of the pocket. These wore the only outlets provided and the settlors maintained that they were so inelticient that they would hold up tho flood waters. It was considered that a 30ft. opening would bo required immediately north of the hiii where spoil was at present being procured ; for the new road and where the proposed 2ft. culvert is to go. It was in the interests of the Main Highways Board that : adequate outlets should he provided as, it the flood water was impeded In any way, it would undoubtedly back up to tho crest of the new road. “Personally," concluuea Mr Chrystall, “I thought adequate provision had been made by the outlets on the south side of the Main drain, but after viewing the position I can easily see the dangers. Low-lying sandhills form a dangerous pocket." Mr Purcell said tho locality was tho lowest part of tho district and it had originally been proposed to instal land level floodgates there. IC any hold-up was placed in tho way of the flood waters thev would not only go over tho. highway, but would back up right through tho Moutoa and have a very detrimental effect on all the settlers in the Whirokino nnd Moutoa. It was decided to request tho Mam

Highways Board to provide an open outlet ■ for tho disposal of flood water through . tho new road by means of a concrete bridge 30 to 40 feet wide at a site im- ; mediately north of tho sandhill on Mr i. ■ Robinson's property, where spoil is at present being excavated about fifteen chains north of the Main drain. It was decided also to forward a copy of tho i resolution to the Manawatu-Oroua River ; Board asking for its support. Mr F. S. Easton wrote acknowledging receipt of tlie board’s registered letter re- ■ carding willow treo across (lie Diagonal drain, and gave notico that ho would not bo responsible, as he considered that it was possible that the tree had grown from ; what had been deposited on the bank of tho drain by employees of the Drainage Board. Formal notice of appeal in this connection was received from Messrs It. Moore and Bergin on behalf of Mr Easton. The board went into committee and discussed the matter at some length. The Sluggish River Drainage Board wrote asking the board for financial support in contesting a legal opinion in regard to drainage law. The matter was : held over until further details are obtaln- : able. Croquet. .' In a match between members of the ' Foxton and Ashhurst croquet clubs, play- , ed on Thursday last, the Foxton players were successful in winning by a margin ' of 27 points, the final scores being: Foxton 100, Ashhurst 73. The detailed results ' are as follow, local players being men- . tioned first: —Singles: Mrs R. Owen dc- , feated Mrs Reid, 2G—ls; Mrs E. Popple lost to Mrs Summer, 22—2 G. Doubles: Mesdames Owen and Newth defeated , Mesdames Reid and Summer, 26—17; . Mesdames Perreau and Bryant defeated . Mesdames Davis and Brewer, 26—15. W.C.T.U. Mrs J. Ross presided over the monthly meeting of the Women’s Christian Tem- [ perance Union. The- reports for the ! year’s work and several questionnaires [ from headquarters were dealt with and a I large amount of business was discussed. A special vote of thanks was accorded the Methodist Church Guild for the use '• of tho schoolroom, and to Mrs A. G. Huntley for preparing the room for the - meetings. It was decided that the next ' meeting of the union should be held In . February, 1937. Personal. Mr and Mrs 11. A. Hannay, of Purcell • street, aro at present on an extended i motor tour of tho north. Mrs Christie, who has been spending a : holiday with her daughter, Mrs W. Ogden, 1 of Liddell street, has returned to Petone. I Mr M. S. Francis, of Martlnborougli, i was a week-end visitor to Foxton. i Tlio friends of Mr L. C. Bryant, of Park • street, will regret to learn that ho is at i present indisposed. I Master Jack Haines, of Thynne street, i is an inmate of the Palmerston North hospital, where he underwent an opera- • tlon,