DRAINAGE BOARDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16652, 18 November 1925, Page 8

DRAINAGE BOARDS.

WAITOA. At the monthly meeting of the Waitoa Drainage Board, there were present: Messrs F. W. Walters (chairman), A. A. Wagstaff, G. 11. Horn, D. F. Watson and 11. L. Wilton. The chief engineer, Lands Department, advised that plans for the Whakahora relief drain were being examined. —The matter was left to the engineer, Mr Johnson, to confer with Mr Taylor and report at next meeting in December. . Mr Campbell, writing in respect to the Plako stop bank, stated that the head office would not agree to the unexpended portion of this vo.te being granted as a further contribution to the Waharoa flood gates.—Mr Johnson contended that the money would probably be available for the strengthening of the banks on either side of the gate.—On the motion of Messrs Watson and Wilton, it was agreed to make application for the unexpended balance, to be used for improvement works in strengthening the stop banks, and that the engineer report as to the raising of the Board’s portion of £l3O 17s 6d. Mr H. J. Pease’s application for assistance in constructing bridges was favourably discussed, and the matter was left to the engineer with power to act. The engineer was asked to report on the matter of Cribb’s outlet. q’he draft agreement between the Waitoa and Elstow Boards was read, and it was decided to attach the Board’s seal.

th*s area arc much brighter than 1 anticipated, and considering the_ large areas the cost will not be cxccssi\e. With an efficient scheme in operation the whole area with the exception of, •say 12,000 acres, could be brought Into pasture without further delay and within a very few years the area should be in a condition to carry possibly 10,000 dairy cows. And in order that suitable lands might be prepared for our increasing population, and in order to keep up and increase the production of primary products, 1 am of the opinion that every effort should he made to encourage the construction of these recommended works.” Taking the conservative figures given, i.e. .10,000 cows, and the average of 2201 b. of butter-fat per cow, we" have the astonishing annual return of £165,000 in good gold coming in from country which at present produces practically nothing. Allowing for purpose of calculation that interest on the full scheme costs £6OOO per annum, and maintenance costs another £3000,’ it seems that the probable income is such as to make ihe charges relatively insignificant. Suggested on which tho scheme could ho inaugurated to inflict the least burden on property owners will be set out in a subsequent article.