WESTERN TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 22

WESTERN TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

The monthly mooting:, held on the 24th, was attended b"y Messrs J. T. Gibson (chairman), James Miller, Joseph fii'Neill, and R. A. Kompshell.

Messrs Arthur Robertson and James Dow asked that attention be given to the main drain through their properties in block V, West Taieri.—To be attended to.

An application for a rebate of 10_ per cent, penalty on overdue rate was declined. Tho clerk reported on a visit to Wellington in company with Mr B. B. Couston (engineer). They laid before the Prime Minister the following matters: —(a) _ The present condition of the Waipori River; (b) the difficulties in connection with the new embankment at Otokia; (c) re a subsidy for flood damages. They gave a full account of the extent of the damage dono on the Berwick Flat by the recent flood, tho present position of the Waipori River, and the danger to this district in particular, and to the Taieri Plain in general if remedial measures were not put in hand at once, and asked that the Government carry out the recommendations of the recent" Taicri-Waipori Rivers Commission in so far as the report referred to the Waipori River. They explained the position of the board in regard to the new embankment at Otokia, and enlarged on the great amount of money that the district _ had spent on drainage and river protective works and flood damages in recent years, and made out as good a case as possible in support of tho board's application for financial assistance in the matter of flood damages. Mr Massey said that the expenditure involved was one for a decision by the Cabinet, but speaking for himself he said that with regard to the Waipori River he could not hold out any hope of putting this work in hand without a definite arrangement between the Government and the settlers as to the manner in which the work was to be paid for. The Prime Minister said tho report of the Taicri-Waipori Rivers Commission had not yet been considered by tho Cabinet, and therefore the question of legislation had not been considered. The clerk stated that ho did not think anything would be done until some scheme of financing the work had been agreed to by the settlers and the Government, and legislation passed in accordance with the agreement. Mr Massey asked them to decide which work was the more pressing, as between obtaining assistance for (a) the Waipori River and (b) a subsidy for flood damages on the plain; and to put the decision in writing, -when the matter would receive consideration. They chose the latter as being of first importance to the district. Next day they had an interview with the Minister of Public Works, and subsequently with the superintending engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr F. W. Furkcrt) in the matter of a subsidy, and after consultation with the latter made a fresh application for a subsidy. A subsidy of £1 for £1 up to £3OOO was promised. With regard to the Otokia embankment, Mr Massey promised assistance in the event of a settlement not being reached. After several interviews with the engineers of the Railway and Public Works Departments they arrived at an agreement with the engineers of the Railway Department which provided for a stop bank being erected alongside the railway at the same level as the old bank and joined to the proposed new river bank, the __ latter to be Ift lower than the stop bank. The tender of Mr W. Bryant for the erection of the cmbankrnent at Otokia was accepted.—Mr Campbell said ho did not favour the erection of such a long bank as was indicated on the plan. One a little larger than the present temporary bank should suffice.—The Chairman pointed out that it was necessary to have a longer bank in order to get the subsidy, and if they proceeded with the small it would run the board into greater expense than it would be called on to pay in addition to tho subsidy on the larger bank. A petition was presented from ratepayers objecting to the height of the bank it was at first proposed to erect at the Otokia break. —The Chairman stated that the Railway Department had stipulated that the new embankment must be 3£ft lower than the portion that had been washed away. The new bank would bo only Sin lower opposite the place whore the break occurred, lie had explained this to the ratepayer who handed him the petition. That gentleman was quite satisfied, and said he thought the others who had signed it would also bo satisfied. It was resolved to leave the repairs to tho Outram embankment in the hands of the foremar; and to carry out some minor repairs on tho bank between Outram and Henley bv day labour. The Clerk was authorised to procure the necessary grass seed to. sow on embankments. The Clerk was instructed to apply for a loan of £3OOO for flood damage repair.- The rate for the security would amount to about threepence an A Class land, and the other classes in proportion. With respect to tho loan of a dredge from the Otago Harbour Board in connection with flood repair damage near Lake Tatawai, and a proposal to continue the contour channel embankment for some chains at this spot, tho Harbour Board notified the terms on which its dredge now lying at Kaitangata could be procured. A pontoon would be required, and instructions were given to make inquiries regarding the one used at Kaitangata, and also one lying at Taieri River Mouth, used in the construction of the bridge there. As to the extent of the works to bo carried out at this end of the plain, it was resolved that the board meet in conference with the engineer on the ground. It was resolved to strengthen and add to the height of tho concrete wall at the Henlev pump; to put in a new box near the Lee Creek outlet to take the Maungatua. water bv a shorter cut to the pumping station : 'and to put in some 2ft pipes at a point near Mr Kempshell'is, where the flood carried away a wooden culvert. _ The Chairman tendered his resignation—a matter which had been before the board at the last meeting. Mr Gibson had removed from tho district, and as he did not now hold an interest in it. he wished to vacate the seat. —Messrs Kompshell and Miller testified to the vast amount of time Mr Gibson had given to drainage matters. They said he was often accused of bad administration, but if he had had his way works would have been carried out much more expeditiously and the rates to-day would not have been so srroat—Mr Gibson thanked the members for their expressions of good feeling, and said _it was with regret that he vacated the chair.