MEETING OF TRUST BOARD.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 89, 25 May 1877, Page 2

MEETING OF TRUST BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly-elected Trust Board was held in the Court house, Akaroa, on Tuesday last. Present—J. G-. Murray, G. R. Joblin, E. C. Latter, J. Gebbie, J. Dalglish, A. P. 0< Callaghan, T. H. Parkinson, and John Bell. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr. Dalglish proposed—"That Mr. E. C. Latter be elected Chairman of the Board." Mr. Bell seconded the motion. Mr. Parkinson moved, as an amendment, "That Mr. A. P. O'Callaghan be elected Chairman." The amendment was seconded by Mr. Gebbie. Mr. Murray remarked that he would be prepared to support Mr. O'Callaghan's nomination because Mr. Latter was chairman of the County Council, and therefore he considered it advisable that the office of Chairman of the Trust should be filled by a distinct person. Mr. Dalglish failed to see the force of Mr Muiray's objection, as the County Council was practically null and void for a period of at least two years. The chairman about to be elected would only hold office for a term of twelve months.

Mr. Joblin could readily have understood Mr. Murray's opposition had Mr. Latter displayed any incompetency in the discharge of his duties as County Chairman.

Mr. Latter said that if the gentlemen who had done him the honor of placing his name in nomination would allow him to withdraw, he would support Mr. O'Callaghan's appointment to the office. Mr. Joblin said that he, for one, would demur to any such course. Mr. O'Callaghan suggested the appointment of a temporary chairman to conduct the election of a permanent •chairman.

Mr. Bell said that, according to a report which had general currency, it was understood that several members of the Trust were strongly opposed to the work being carried out, and for that reason he would not like to see the chairman elected from the dissentient side.

Mr. Gebbie said that if Mr. Bell alluded to him as one of the opposing party, he was mistaken, as he (Mr. Gebbie), wished to see the work carried out.

Mr. O'Callaghan remarked that the fact of any person standing for election, should be a sufficient proof that he was in favour of the scheme. lie, for one, was most strongly in favour of seeing the lakes drained.

Mr. Parkinson said that he was not aware of the existence of a dissentient member on the Trust.

Mr. Murray said that he had once been " hauled over the coals" by the Akaroa Mail for questioning at a late banquet the means to be employed for the drainage of the lakes, but he was in no way opposed to the work.

Mr. Dalglish considered that the situation of Mr. O'Callaghan's residence was not as convenient as that of Mr. Latter's.

Mr. Murray held that it was, as there was daily communication by rail within a mile of Mr. O'Callaghan's residence, and that there was a post and telegraph office within the same distance.

Mr. Latter said that he was sure that if the choice fell upon Mr. O'Callaghan that he would do his best to carry out the duties of the office. As there was ah equality of votes in favour of himself and Mr. O'Callaghan, perhaps it would be better to draw lots in order to get over the difficulty. Mr. Gebbie held that-Mr. O'Callaghan' residence was most central. s

Mr. O'Callaghan said that the difficulty experienced at the outset was rather ominous, but thought that matter could be

easily got over if the members could agree as to a permanent place of meeting. Mr. Joblin said that he, for one, would be quite willing to give way in point of place of meeting. He would not object to Lincoln.

Mr. Bell considered Frank's Hotel would be about the most central place.

Mr. Parkinson suggested the Road Board office at Kaituna, aud he would be prepared to find accommodation for any of the members at his station.

Mr. O'Callaghan said that after con- j suiting with his supporters, he would consent to retire, if the members would personally pledge themselves to agree to the holding of the Trust meetings, either at Kaituna or Christchurch. Their pledges would, of course, be entirely a matter of honour, as he and others residing at a distance wished to be assured that they would not be brought out of their way. [The members present hera individually pledged themselves to vote for either of the two places named.] Mr. O'Callaghan proposed—" That Mr. E. C. Latter be elected permanent chairman of the Trust Board for one year." The motion was seconded by Mr. Dalglish, and there being no other nomination, it was carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr. John Rennie, excusing himself for absence, as he had only read the paper convening the meeting on Saturday evening last, and as there was no coach before Tuesday, it would be impossible for him to be present. The letter also mentioned that the illness of Mr. Frankish would also prevent his attendance. chairman's speech. Mr. Latter returned thanks for his election as Chairman, and said that he would endeavour, to the best of his ability, to carry out the duties in connection with the office. He apprehended that, according to the Act, the first duty of the Trust would be to obtain a re-survey of the lakes, and also a report upon the best method of draining the same. It would be for the members to consider the best way to obtain these reports, whether by public tender or otherwise. There was one point, however, he would wish the members to bear strongly in mind, and that was, that the person selected to make the report should possess the confidence of the Government, for it must- be evident, that unless the Government believed it emanated from a man of undoubted skill, no vote from the General Assembly would ever be secured for the railway. There was also another point to consider, whether it would be advisable, before inviting tenders, to request the Government to submit a list of names of known and skilled engineers, in any one of whose reports confidence could be placed. He was not aware whether there were any funds in hand to work upon, but clause 16 of the Trust Act provides that the Receiver of Land Revenue shall pay one-half of the proceeds of all lands sold within certain limits into the credit of the Trust, at the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch. He believed there was at present a sum lying to the credit of the Trust, but the amount he was not aware of, as no member had at present authority to ascertain. . Mr. Joblin would like to learn whether it would be advisable to proceed with the discussion at once as to the best means of drainage, or discuss the scheme at the next meeting. The Chairman said that if it were decided to hold the' meeting s monthly, he feared that a loss of time would ensue by postponing the question, but if the next meeting was proposed.to be held at an early date, it would be better to allow the matter to stand over.

Mr. Joblin said that he intended tabling a motion, to be discussed at next meeting, in order to allow ample opportunity to members to consider the subject matter. He was not quite sure which would be the best mode of procedure for obtaining the report by tender or otherwise. Mr. O'Callaghan said that it would be very advisable to give notice of motion wlien a question of some great importance was to be discussed, but to make it a " bard and fast rule" to give notices of all motions, would, in his opinion, hamper the Trust. It might be left optional with members to give notice, but he considered it would be inadvisable to compel them to do so.

Mr. Murray said that it was most important to give the chairman instructions to communicate with the Government, with the view of ascertaining the balance lying to the credit of the Trust. There would be no use advertising for the services of gentlemen to frame reports if the Trust had no money at its disposal. He agreed with Mr. Latter that it would be just as well to ascertain from the Government the names of engineers they would be prepared to recommend as capable of submitting plans for drainage of the lakes; Mr. Joblin considered that it would be placing the Government in a very inviduous position to ask them to furnish names. Mr. Dalglish would like to know how many reports there were in existence. The Chairman believed there were several.

Mr. Joblin moved—"That a copy of the report of W. B. Bray, Esq., Civil Engineer to the late Provincial Government, on the drainage or reclamation of the Lake Ellesmere be obtained, together with a copy of Mr. Jacobson's plan, for the use of the members of the Ellesmere and Forsyth Reclamation and Railway Trust, and any other plans or reports that may be obtainable." The motion was seconded by Ml 1 . Dalglish, and carried. FINANCIAL POSITION OF TRUST. Mr. Murray moved—" That the Chairman be requested to communicate with the Colonial Treasnrer, with a view of ascertaining the position of the Trust, and report at next meeting." Mr. Gebbie seconded the motion, which was earned. ■ Mr. O'Callaghan said that the position of the Trust plain enough, as £6,000 worth of land was sold since the coming into operation of the Act. He, however, quite agreed with the course proposed, and thought that it would be advisable to ask for £1,000 to begin with. MODE OF NOMINATING AN ENGINEER. Mr. Bell thought it would be inadvisable to call for tenders if a gentleman were appointed who had not the confidence of the Government. Mr. O'Callaghan would prefer to ask the Government to appoint an Engineer. The Chairman thought the best course to adopt would be to ask the Government to furnish the Trust with a list of competent engineers.

Mr. Murray considered the best course to pursue would be to offer a premium for the best scheme for draining" the lakes. Mr. Parkinson suggested three awards— £500, £300, and £200—in order to ensure competition.

Mr. Murray remarked that it might be found that Mr. Bray's report would answer all requirements.

Mr. o"Callaghan said that, in order to save time, it would be advisable to call for tenders, and to write privately to the Government asking for a list of engineers whom they could place confidence in. If any of the names supplied by the Government happened to tender, they would have all the more confidence in making a selection. Mr. Gebbie remarked that an unknown person to the Government, who probably might have just arrived from Europe, might tender, and his services might be better than the whole list of names put together, as recommended by the Government. Mr. Bell—Then we could refer the name to the Government. Mr. Murray- said that the Board would have to consult with the best engineers in the colony as to the best plan, and he thought the best course to adopt would be to invite plans. Mr. Joblin questioned very much whether the higher class of engineers would come into competition with each other if' Mr. Murray's suggestion were carried out. The Chairman said that, as the lakes were high at this season of the year, perhaps the present period was not about the most favourable time to effect a survey.

Mr. Joblin said that Mr. Bray's report fully bore out the Chairman's view. Mr. o : Callaghan said that if an Engineer were appointed, and he adopted Mr. Bray's report, that gentleman would have just reason to complain. Mr. Joblin—" No," "no." He received £400 from the Provincial Government for it, and it is therefore public property. The report of an able man is at the present time lying useless. Mr. DALGLisH-said that it would be unfair for another to come in and adopt it. Mr. Joblin said that he attributed the non-adoption of Mr. Bray's report to the influence of the Little River Road Board. adjournment. Mr. Gebbie moved:—" That the Trust do now adjourn till Tuesday, the 12th of June, at noon, at the Little River Road Board Office, Kaituna. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dalglish and carried. After a vote of thanks to the Chair, the members separated.