TAIERI RIVER TRUST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20088, 3 May 1927, Page 7

TAIERI RIVER TRUST.

The monthly meeting of the Taieri River Trust was held yesterday. Mr B. T. Sadd presided, and Commissioners A. Moore, C. F. Evans, Walter Blaokie, F. Johnson, and D. Wyllie wore present. The Foreman reported that the following work had boon carried out during the month:—The West Taieri gang had finished the Momona drain and repaired breaks and leaks in the contour banks, and wore now working on the Upper Lee Creek. The Maungatua gang had cleaned the drain from the pump to Lee Creek, and then to Momona and the Maungatua road. Ho recommended the .following .works for the ensuing month:—West Taieri gang: Wyllie’s Creek diversion and Patrick's drains. Maungatua gang: Poplar and Wain's drains. The banks and boxes had been attended to.—The report was adopted. Mr L. S. Dyer (Silvorstream dairy factory) applied for permission to put in a pipe for drainage purposes from his factory at Outram to the river through the Trust’s bank.—The request was granted, subject to the engineer’s approval, and a 3-ineh pipe was recommended. The Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department Allanton, advised as to the prices submitted by the city electrical engineer for power in connection with the pumping plant at Gibson’s box. He recommended the Trust to confine the pump ing to night-time, in order to procure tho cheaper rate—The recommendation was agreed to. The District Engineer, Public Works Department in reply to the Trust’s letter forwarding a petition by Mr W. Costello and others, stated that the work being carried out by that department on the Trust’s behalf was considered to be in the best interests of the plain as a whole, and the Trust was well within its legal rights in having such work undertaken. .To accode to the requests of the petitioners would render ineffective the whole of the expenditure in connection with the scheme which was intended for the protection of the western side of the plain.—Received. Mr W. J. Tristram wrote regarding the formation of a Drainage Boards Association. A meeting of board representatives would be held at Wellington on May 20.—The letter was received. Mr W. Millar (Tokoiti, Milton) wrote stating that he was unable to undertake the cleaning of “C ” drain and Kirk’s drain on account of the depth of water in the drains.—The Clerk explained that he had made arrangements with Mr Taylor to carry out the work at the contract price. The clerk’s action was approved. Mr Millar’s deposit is to be returned to him. GENERAL.

It was resolved that the balance sheet of the trust for the year ended March 31, 1920, be approved, finally settled and signed by the chairman; and that the balance sheet be deposited at the trust’s office, Mosgiel, for inspection by all persons interested. Mr A. S. Gillespie (Momona) drew the attention of the trust to the need for widening Spence’s drain through his property, and also for a connecting drain to take away the overflow from. Moynihan’s dam. —It was resolved to widen the drain to dam in the meantime.

Mr J. Marshall drew attention to the rabbit ai»d gorse nuisance on certain properties. Thistles had been removed where he thought it was advisable to do so. On the inside of some steep banks the thistles acted as a protection and prevented cattle from going on the bank. The clerk to write to the owner of the land mentioned, calling attention to the rabbits and gorse near embankment, and asking him to take steps to clear the gorse.

It was decided to cart the gravel from the Contour Channel at Miller’s and deposit it so that the Taieri County Council could conveniently gain access to it. The Inspector reported on the Berwick boxes. Ho had inspected these, but found very little sign of leakage. He suggested leaving the mutter over till the river was lower, when a thorough examination could bo made. —Agreed to. The inspector was instructed to strengthen the contour embankment in all weak places. TENDERS. Tenders for certain works were opened and dealt with. That of D. Gray at 6s 6d per chain, all over, was accepted.