DRAINAGE AFFAIRS

Waipa Post, Volume 36, Issue 2146, 19 April 1928, Page 5

DRAINAGE AFFAIRS

MEETING OF UPPER MANGAPIKO BOARD. A meeting of the Upper Mangapiko Drainage Board was held in Cambridge on Monday last, at the office of Mr H. Lewis, who has resumed the office of secretary to the Board. There were present Messrs J. W. Peake (chairman), A. Bertelsen, D. Brown, C. C. Diprose and W. Murdoch. A report was tabled re a conference held with the Lower Mangapiko Board at Te Awamutu, in an endeavour to induce that body to clear the portion of the Mangapiko stream which affects the outfall from the Upper Board's area. The deputation pointed out that whilst a share of interest on a loan raised to be expended in clearing the stream was being paid by this board to the controlling body, little or no benefit was being derived, owing to the Lower Board (who control the portion of the stream for which the loan was raised) having allowed obstructions to accumulate to such an extent as to most adversely affect this board's operations. The deputation had been informed that an effort would be made to remedy the defects. , Members expressed the opinion that in view of the importance of the outlet being maintained efficiently, every effort should be made to ensure the benefits that the loan moneys were intended to give, being secured. The chairman then reported upon works done and in progress in the board's district—77 chains of the Mangapiko stream had been cleared of timber, weed growth and other obstructions to a width of 18 feet and down to a hard bottom, at a cost of £2 5s 6d per chain, and a further 98 chains had been similarly completed at a cost of £1 9s 9d per chain. Results Avere most beneficial to the area, and it was hoped to complete three miles of the stream ere weather conditions cause operations for the season to cease. The work is being done in conformity with the board's policy to put the stream, which is recognised as the prime outlet, into such a state as to render most service. The gratifying reports received from ratepayers re the benefits accruing from the work have been such that consideration is to be given, instead of each year expending a proportion of the annual revenue on doing a certain length of the stream, in the direction of raising a short dated loan sufficient to complete the full length, in one contract. Repayment of the loan would be made by redeeming a portion each year equal in amount to that now annually set aside for stream clearing purposes. A ready benefit would immediately ensue over the whole area, at a very small and possibly no increased cost in rates. The stream and the drains running into it would be enabled to function to their fullest extent and create benefits within the year which under the restricted means now available must take from five to six years. Several of the drains have been cleaned, the lake drain is receiving attention and preparation is being made to commence work on the Chamberlain drain.