TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 23

TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Taieri Drainage Board was held on Monday at Mosiel; present—Messrs Gibson (chairman), Furkert, Wilmot, Kempshall, Findlay, Reid, Moyniban, and Cullen. An apology for absence was received from Mr Macandrew. CORRESPONDENCE. William Kirkland forwarded a letter, and also appeared in person, to inquire the intention of the board in regard to giving him access to certain property, and also compensation for land taken by drains.— The matter was fully gone into by the board and the engineer, after which the applicant was promised consideration of his request. Subsequently it was resolved that Mr Cullen should interview the adjoining landowners and report to next meeting. D. B. Shand wrote drawing attention to the urgent need of cleaning the drain alongside the Gladfield road, and also the drain from the school road through the swamp. If his land was damaged through the bad state of these draius he would hold the board responsible.—lt was decided that the engineer and members of the section should deal with the matter. William Shand requested the board to clean the Ovvhiro Creek near its junction with the Taieri River, and also higher up the stream. The "companies drain" also needed attention.—Matters would receive attention. In connection with the removal of gravel from the Silverstream, the Taieri County Council intimated its willingness to accept gravel from the site near the Gladfield road provided the board's workmen filled same into the council's carts, in accordance with terms arrived at. —Noted. A number of other letters on detailed works were read and attended to. engineer's report. The report of the Engineer (Mr Elliott) contained the following_ clauses : —" West Taieri District: The maintenance work in connection with the drains in West Taieri district is well advanced. I expect by end of next month to be able to considerably reduce the gangs. A temporary connection is required between the "A" and "B" drains at the lake, also the permanent channel along Kirk's road. East Taieri District: The new channel through what was known as the lagcon has dried it. This has given an opportunity to open up the Mill Creek which has been cleaned up to nearly Gladfield road. Also, a start has been made with channel from lagoon up to the railway. Mr Findlay and myself inspected the Mill Creek between Riccarton road and Gladfield road, and decided to clean it out. The Taieri County Council is carting gravel out of Silverstream and putting it on the road; the board's workmen filling the carte. The work done is all very good in its way, but will in no way be adequate to carry the water when the creeks and river are in moderate flood. The work done will enable further work to be done at a cheaper rate by machinery. The proposition may be put that three men with shovels and barrows will excavate 30 yards per day at a cost of 245. The same number, with an engine, will excavate 250 cubic yards at a cost of 48s per day. Permanent Works: The survey of the contour channel is being proceeded with, and is being surveyed from the lower end up Before the gangs at present at work were dispersed he proposed to put some men on to the river embankments." kirk's drain.

A petition signed by 20 ratepayers was received urging the board to cut the proposed drain along Kirk's road immediately. In connection with this matter, notice had been served on the owners of land required for the purpose, and also upon tha County Council and Road Beards concerned. Claims for land proposed to be taken were received as follows: —W. S. Reid claimed £2O per acre for land taken and £lO 5s for removing and re-erecting present fence and removing temporary fence and erecting new one; R. Botting claimed £2O per acre and £l3 10s for fencing work done. —The Taieri County Council forwarded an objection to the cutting of the drain at all. The Engineer's report in connection with this matter said that it was necessary to acquire 'and on this line, as the roadway was o- If a chain wide, and the drain would .bout 18ft 'or 20ft wide. Th© present drain along from Maungatua road up to about halfway was wider, and, at some points, deeper than required. It was partly on the road and partly on private property. All that was required along this portion was to clean it out, which would be done immediately. On the other porfc'on —about a mile—there was a drain about 4ft wid?. This was inadequate to carry the water, and would require to be widened.— At the suggestion of the Chairman, it was decided that the matter of compensation should be> left in his hands to endeavour to effect a settlement at £ls per acre. On the question of the objection of the County Council to the enlargement of the drain, it was decided to approach the Minister of Public Works. The council had given no reason for its objection. OVERDUE KATES. It was reported that the total of overdue rates was £4ll. —The Chairman remarked that many ratepayers had not paid anything at all. This was not fair to those< who were paying regularly, and he thought it was time something was done to enforce payment of the rates due. Notices had been duly sent to all concerned regarding payment, and he therefore moved—" That all rates in arrears be sued for without exception." Some rates had been suspended pending receipt of power from the Legislature to conduct re-classification of the part without doing it for the whole, and, of course., the motion would not apply to these.—Mr Furkett seconded the motion, and it was carried by four votes to two. AN EXCAVATING PLANT. The Engineer (Mr Elliott) said be had a strong feeling that if they were going to do excavating work it was simply wasting money to do it by day labour. —The Chairman said a sub-committee had been appointed to consider the question, but had' never had the opportunity of meeting.—lt was arranged that this eub-oommittee should meet shortly.