TAUHEI DRAINAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16512, 5 June 1925, Page 11

TAUHEI DRAINAGE.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. PRESENTED TO PUBLIC MEETING. For some time, the ratepayers of the Tauhei drainage area have not been entirely satisfied with the present state of affairs as far as the efficient draining of their land is concerned, and nowadays when every acre of land must produce to its fullest capacity, old-time methods will not suit. To begin with, a large amount of the land in this drainage area consisted of large estates, each having direct access. to the Tauhei main drain, but times have changed, and these estates have been cut up and many settlers are now a mile or more from the main drain, which leaves them in very parlous position if the drains between Ihem and the main drain arc neglected. There has been an insistent demand for relief by the board extending its operations and taking .over numerous side drains to give as far as possible every section direct access to the main stream. The Tauhei Board has fully realised the position, and knowing that the Tauhei could not possibly take the whole of the flow, they decided to employ a competent engineer to go over the whole of their drainage area and to bring forward a comprehensive scheme which would entail taking over necessary side and road drains, deepening the'main drain, etc. Mr Johnson, of Morrinsville. was entrusted with the work, and when completed the Board invited the ratepayers to hear his report and vote <jp the matter. This meeting was held in the Tauhei Hall on 'Thursday, .May 28. Mr Noble, chairman of the hoard, presided over a well-attended meeting. Messrs Williams, A. E- Gelt, M. Lccson, .T. P. Harris (members of the board) were also present, with Mr Lindsay (secretary) and Mr John-son (engineer). Mandate to the Board. Mr Noble briefly addressed the meeting, and called the ratepayers' attention to the last meeting that was called, which gave the board the mandate for the present scheme. He also referred to the late abortive loan pronosal, and honed that the ratepayers would give Mr Johnson's report their best attention. Mr Johnson, before reading his report, gave a brief outline of what he considered the. most important items ef his scheme and matters pertaining to the ordinary customs of drainage schemes. He had laid his scheme before Government engineers and they bad approved it. He laid stress on the importance of re-classiflcalion and considered that the Tauhei Drainage Board should change from rating on the improved value to the unimproved value, the speaker considering that the latter was undoubtedly the most equitable way of rating. Mr Johnson then gave full particulars or his scheme. One of the most important items was diverting a large portion of the headwaters to How into the Piako, starting from Taylors blind road off the Hangawera Road. This would considerably relieve the main stream. The rest of the work was on the side drains and deepening the main stream. Estimates were given of all the work to be undertaken, the whole amount or the present scheme running into about EoOUU\fter Mr Johnson had finished his icport a number of questions were ah Mr Palmer asked if the scheme was carried out in its entirety, would it prevent the flooding of the lower levels of Tauhei. Mr Johnson considered that nothin-, could prevent occasional floods. Relieving the Main Stream. Mr Noble asked if it would not be possible to divert a lot of the water that came off the hills towards Mangatcparu down the Piako, the speaker considering that this would greatly relieve the main stream and might possibly slop the flooding of the lower . In answer to this Mr Johnson gave a somewhat guarded reply, as he had not, surveyed that portionMr Williams considered the scheme as laid before Ihem was not entirely what the Board had decided to do, and asked the reason why certain ratepayers were not actually given direct access to the main drain. This was explained. Mr Brown asked for the area of | the watershed, hut Mr Johnson had not the figures by him.A number of other questions were asked, and Mr Johnson answered them in a satisfactory manner. Members of the Drainage Board __.i__-„,i iv,n clmmn nml Mr Wil-

endorsed the scnemc, ami mi »" liams moved that the whole area he rc-classifled and the scheme adopted and a poll be taken lo raise the £SOOO. * ui . After being duly seconded this was put to the meeting and carried with onlv one'dissentient. Mr Seals, who was not a drainage ratepayer, protested against the scheme 1 , as the water to be diverted was to pass through his land. Mr Johnson advised applying for a Government subsidy. Votes of thanks to the chair, the engineer and members of the board closed a very successful meeting.