WESTERN TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 25

WESTERN TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

The monthly meeting., held on Monday, was presided over by Mr James Miller (chairman). The Chairman moved., on notice—" That the scale of rates for hire of teams bo 18s per day for man and one horse, 25s for man and two horses, 32s for man and three horses, and 39s for man and four horses."— After discussion the motion was withdrawn. The Blazer Firewood Company applied for permission to remove some willows lying near ?ower-house at Outran].—Left in hands of chairman. FLOOD DAMAGES. In the copy of a letter that had passed between the" board's acting' engineer and the public works'engineer it was stated that the expenditure on flood damage repairs to October 25 was £1682 lis Id, and from that date to th* Bth inst £1022 13s 7d Noted. ' , -, Mr B. B. Couston, engineer to the board, reported regarding the big bank at Otokia that progress of the work was steady, but not as fast as might have been demanded were more labour available. When the O drain outlet was completed the flumuig at the A drain outlet would be repaired and a new outlet box constructed at Hamilton's. He was submitting proposals regarding Lake Bank to the public works engineer, and also would confer with him regarding the contour channel. —Received. Th" Clerk reported, in refercf ce to flood damage, that Sir William Fraser. Minister of Public Works, wrote, agreeing to give a subsidy of £4OOO towards repairs. The engineer (Mr B. B. Couston) estimated the damages at £9OOO. This included an estimate of £2500 for opening up and connectin"- the bank of the contour channel with the bank of Lake Waipori, some distance across the Henley-Berwick road. Mr Couston was now conferring with the District Engineer, Public Works Department, on this matter. GENERAL. It was resolved to impose the 10 per cent, penalty on unpaid rates after March 31 next. It. was resolved to advertise for sale the engine at one of the old pumping stations. A lengthy discuseion took place on the cleaning of drains. The cost of cleaning some of these was considered excessive in comparison with previous costs. Mr Kempshell advocated having the work done by contract. —Mr M'Neill. thought too much attention was being given the drains where the gang was working at present.—-Mr Reid suggested setting aside an amount corresponding with the rates received. Th© land referred to was in class F. —Ultimately it was decided that the next drain to be taken in hand would be Lake Katrine drain.