WESTERN TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3455, 1 June 1920, Page 43

WESTERN TAIERI DRAINAGE BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Western Taieri Drainage Board was held on Friday, Mr A. R. Kempsheil presiding in the unavoidable absence of Mr Jas. Miller (chairman). An application for an increase in wages to 14s per day by seven of the board's workmen was held ove>r till a full meeting of the board. The foreman was asked to report on a complaint from John Marshall (Woodside), regarding surface water accumulating on his property. Mr A. J Stewart's siiggestion that the control of the Taieri River be vested in tho board, thus overcoming a difficulty in connection with his application for dredging, was held over pending the report of the Rivers Commission. The State Advances Office forwarded £I9OO, amount of flood damages loan, 1919. —Received.

The Public Works Department notified that the i-eport of the Rivers Commission was now being printed. and a copy of same would be forwarded to the boards.as soon as possible.—Received. D. A. Smith (Henley) wrote reminding the board of its promise to put some metal on the road between Henley factory and Wain's drain, planks for bridge, and protection for banks at the wash-out near his place—Noted. Mr James Patrick waited on the board with regard to: (1) an offer by the board to pay for kerosene used in pum.pins-; (2) an improvement to drains so that the cost of pumping would be lessened; (3). deepening and fencing a drain through his property (about 14 chains long); (4) and the removal of his pump by _ the board.—After discussion, on the easting vote of the chairman, the board s previous offer to pay for oil was adhered to; it was resolved to supply posts for the fencing of drain mentioned; ,and the chairman iinclertook to inquire re the removal of the pump. M.r s Marshall waited on the board regarding openings cut in the banks. Should a rise in the river occur the whole plain would bo flooded. —It was resolved that the foreman be instructed to have _ repairs effected to banks as soon as possible.

Mr Ham ilton waited on the board recardine th*> raising of protective banks,

and the repairing of leaky boxes. Ho stated that if something was not soon done, there would again be trouble where the water broke through some months ago.— Mr Reid questioned the statements made regarding levels, ' and it was resolved to instruct the engineer to ascertain what portions, if any, required raising. Accounts amounting to £573 18s 2d wero passed for payment.