Draining the Makerua Plains

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7286, 13 October 1933, Page 4

Draining the Makerua Plains

TRANSACTIONS AT BOARD MEETING. Trusteo 11. Seifert was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Makcrua Drainage Board, yesterday. Others present were Trustees T. D. Lynch, G. Larsen, E. E. Mabin, W. Jackson, and :S. E. Young. Overseer Reports. Mr P. Y. Tucker, overseer, reported on the month’s activities as follows: The planting of willows and poplars has been completed and the fencing, with the exception of battens, is finished. Battens have been ordered and will bo put in ns soon as they arrive. Concrete weights have been placed on groynes, also barb-wire fences erected at each groyne to assist in silting. The piece of land given by Mr Jackson has 'been planted with macrocarpa, pinus insignis, and gum trees by a Palmerston North nurseryman. The trees are looking well, having received refreshing rain at intervals since being planted. The darining of tho dredge channel will need to be carried out, otherwise the willows planted in the channel are likely to be drowned out if a flood should como before they aro properly established. The seepage from the channel after a flood will also cause willows planted over the riverbank to slip and be washed away. I suggest that two open drains bo cut from channel to river, one between groynes 3 and 4 and the other below No. 6 groyne. The blocks in tho channel should bo opened and allow flood-water to circulate and leave silt. The planting of willows has also been completed from tho Shannon bridge to tho WhitaunuiPoplar boundary. 'The work of repairing fence and planting willows at Western Poplar is in hand. A further 15 chains of fencing have bsen erected 'below Coley’s Bend and connecting with Coley’s Cut. Willows have been planted over riverbank. Other work to bo done to complete the river work is the repairing of the fence and planting at Upper Poplar, and the planting of willows in slips at Hansen’s Bend. When this work is finished, I suggest that attention be given to the intersecting channel, the plan being to lower tho water as much as possible before Christmas. Other work that can be done in intersecting channel in the meantime is tho cutting out I of willows, particularly between the j Whitaunuii tram bridge and Akers’( darin. .Fencing at Coley's Bend. Mr Tucker also brought down a special report on fencing at Coley’s Bend, as follows:—-In my report I mentioned having fenced and planted 15 chains oC riverbank extending from Coley’s Cut upstream toward Coley’s Bend. Mr D. Cole.y claims that his stock have 'been deprived of a watering-place, and ho wishes an agreement in writing from his board, to tho effect that if at any time tho gate leading into Coley’s Cut 'if- closed against his stock tho board will altor the fence to enable stock to get to the river on his frontage. At ono point on this 1.5 chains the Tiver is within six feet of toe of stop-bank, and it is of utmost importance that we get willows established here. Tho reports were adopted. Tho financial statement presented to the board showed that £165 Ss 9d had been expended on No. 5 Scheme wages, and £157 5s 9d in river maintenance. The pumping plant had incurred an expenditure of £27 10s lOd, while the board had been reimbursed to tho extent of £165 6s 3d from, tho Unemployment Board, Bates for tho year 1032-33 had been received to tho tunc of £22 ISs Sd. Outstanding Rates. Bates unpaid at October 12 were £2405 4s 4d for pagt seasons, at.*! £13,816 16s for the season 1933-34. Or the latter levy, £ll 3s lid had been paid. At the October meeting in 1932, the amount of rates then paid for the' curront season was £1025 15s lid (of a levy of £15,853 3s 7d). Tho clerk reported having circularised those ratepayers whose commit-

ments were overdue, requesting them to mako some arrangements with the board. A detailed statement was submitted. It was decided that in cases where suitable overtures have not been made by the 20th, the matter will be referred to the board’s solicitor. Minor latitudes will be allowed regarding penalty payments. With regard to the current year’s rates, it. was decided to circularise ratepayers, pointing to the urgency of payment from tho board’s point of view, as largo commitments had to be made in tho near future, and the board ‘is in need of funds. Loan Conversion,

The chairman reported having placed tho board’s case for loan conversion before the Public Trustee and further before the Loans. Board, pointing out 'the desiro of tho trustees to gain immediate rather than future relief. They had not got very far, but the Loans Board had undertaken to consider the case and submit a plan. The authorities pointed out that the primary object of tho Act was to enable a consolidation of loans and a simplifying of interest payments. The idea was not to extend the term of loans at the expenso of investors. However, the Loans Board evidently had some latitude, and seemed quite favourable to the request.

Supplementing the chairman’s report, Mr Nielsen said the board appeared to have fair chance of getting the conversion authorised, provided the term was not made unduly long. The matter of conversion and the allied question of sinking funds were further considered in committee.

After some discussion as to the cost involved and the economies which would accrue, it was decided to purcha.so a light'truck for the use of the overseer in his work. The arrangements ,wero left in the hands of the chairman, and the scheme will be given a try-out for six months. Trustee Jackson reported verbally on tho planting of willows at Hansen’s Bend. Land for Tree-planting. The chairman reported that Messrs Jackson and Young had made donations of land for the planting of trees, and the land was second to nono in the Dominion for the purpose. Tho board decided to placo on record its appreciation of the interest taken by the donors in its activities. Both plots would be most acceptable for the purpose of raising plantations. Steps will bo taken for afforesting both plots at a suitable time.

Mr A. A. Mitchell, chairman of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board, waited on the meeting to detail arrangements mado as to the planting of willows fit tho Taupunga cut, Mr Seifert stated that the planting had been by no means satisfactory, as many trees had died and the land was overrun, with fescue. It had been, thought that the Drainage Board might desire to have a hand in the disposal of a more or less unsuitable pieco of land in the vicinity of the cut.

After Mr Mitchell had fully explained the position, it was decided that the chairmen of the two boards should be. given authority for leasing the groufid to the best advantage, although itt will, be made available free of cost for the first year.

The overseer is to be instructed that no further excavations leading into the river shall be mado until conveyance pipes are procured. Tho (fhairman is to interview Mr Coloy regarding the request referred, to in the overseer’s report.