TAIERI RIVER TRUST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 5

TAIERI RIVER TRUST.

The monthly meeting of the Taieri River Trust, held on July 5, was presided over by Mr R. T. Sadd (chairman) Messrs I. Lindsay, N. Reid. Evans, Walter Blackie, W. O'Leary, R. A. Kempshell, and John Miller were present. Alex. Doull, Henley, on behalf of a meeting of ratepayers held in the middle of June, asked that a pump be placed on Duck Creek at the point known as Gibson’s pump. He also drew attention to the necessity of having Lee Creek cleaned.— The trust had already decided to have Lee Creek cleaned; and it was resolved that the request regarding the pump be forwarded to the Public Works Department with a recommendation that the pump be installed as requested. John M’Leod, Maungatua, drew the trust’s attention to the bad state of Lee Creek, as it was flooding back on the property he occupied.—Work to be done this month.

John M'Kenzie, Woodside. asked that the drain running between his property and Miss Campbell’s be cleaned.—Member for riding and inspector to examine and report. A. J. Spence brought under the notice of the trust that water was lying on his property, and that of his neighbour’s at Berwick.—Member for the riding, Mr Kempshell Mr Evans, and the inspector to examine and report. The Inspector of Works reported for the past montn as follows: The West Taieri gang had finished cleaning Wylie’s Creek diversion and grubbed out the gorse on its section of contour banks. The Maungatua gang had repaired Lee Creek box, cleaned Robertson and “B” drain, grubbed gorse on the lake bank, Mrs George’s, and Wilson’s.

He recommended that the following work for the ensuing month should be carried out:—That the West Taieri gang should put in a concrete culvert at M'Donald’s and clean Wylie’s Creek; that the Maungatua gang should clean Lee Creek and grub gorse on Contour bank. The banks had been attended to an rm^ 01> der.—Report received. The Sub-committee reported on the interview with the Dunedin city electrical engineer respecting the agreement for electric power as follows: —Regarding the payment of the attendant at substation, Mr Henderson stated that it was the intention of the department to install automatic control, which he was satisfied would be equally as efficient as the present arrangement. It would be necessary to connect the pumping station with a telephone, so that the main station could be advised if any serious trouble arose. In connection with free power for drainage works, Mr Henderson stated that free power would be supplied in connection with any works affecting the Waipori River. Thus any dredging in the lake or creating new outlet for the contour channel would come under this heading. The deputation agreed to the terms as set out in the draft agreement governing new arrangement for a further period tor suppiy of power for pumping purP° BBB * —The report was adopted. Mr Kempshell brought up the matter of the trusts liability to repair a crossing fence over the contour channel between Mrs Miller s and Mr Kinnaird’s properties.—l he clerk was instructed to make inquiries m the matter. On Mr Lindsay’s motion, the inspector was instructed to examine (with power to act) the cause of blocking up the outlet of Loch Katrine drain. The outlet had been tramped by cattle. Mr Kempshell mentioned the necessity of removing a pipe drain near Messrs Shennans and Scott s property near Berwick.— Kesolvcd that the inspector of works confer with the Taieri county inspector of works and report. The Inspector suggested the removal of willows from the creek near Granton Fa-m —Owners of property to be asked to remove the willows Mr Kampsheil moved that some pipes (the property of the trust) lying at West Taieri, be sold to Mr Kinnaird at 2s each.— Agreed to. Mr Miller brought up the question of am ° ra * n near Mr Richards’ property at Maungatua, which required cleaning.—The creek to be cleaned and the material excavated to be used for banking purposes.

Mr Kempshell moved that the trust impress on the Public Works Department the necessity of linking up the protection from Bull Creek to Contour Channel before removing the dredge. He gave reasons in support of his motion, and said they must be prepared to keep a likely flood from the land. Other aspects of the improvements could be considered later.—Mr O'Leary mentioned that a meeting of ratepayers at Henley had been much concerned over this matter. He seconded the motion. —The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Evans replied to a question asked by Mr O'Leary at last meeting as follows: At the last meeting of the Taieri River Trust be had been asked to make a statement of the expenditure on the construction works to date. The figures now-supplied had been taken from tne records in his office and were complete to the end of June. At the same time, there would probably be sundry amounts paid in the district office in _Dunedin, particulars of which had not yet been received by him, so that these figures would need to be considered as approximate only. It was very unlikely, however, that the amount would differ by more than £360 or £4OO from the district office figures. The total coat to June 30, 1926, had been £62,313. Tins amount included all overhead expenses, cost of buildings, survey work, various items of but not compensation, in regard to which he considered it advisable to refer to the land purchase officer. The cost of the larger items of plant, such as the Ruston and Bucyrus draglines, and two locomotives was not charged to this work, which bore Ibnly interest and depreciation charges, but tools generally, including sundry small pumps, motors, earthwork trucks, tents, etc., which would still have a value on completion of the works, had been so charged, but would, a hen transferred from the plain, be credited. The estimated amount of such credits was £7OOO, made up of buildings (£3000). and plant and machinery (£4000). Certain items of expenditure such as survey, would be non-recurring, and eventually, when all details of the scheme had been worked out in their entirety, it was probable that overhead expenses could be reduced by reduction of staff.