RIVER BOARD ABOLISHED

Chronicle (Levin), 20 March 1946, Page 3

RIVER BOARD ABOLISHED

CURIOUS LEGAL POSITION SOMEBODY'S SLIP Since December 3, 1945, the Palmerston Xortli Eiver Board has continuod to funetion normally, adinijiistering its river district, employing labour, signing cheques and paying wages. Yet since Deceinber 3, 1945, the Palmerston North River District and the River Board have legally eeased to exist — and up until yesterday liobodv apparently knew about it, except, perhaps, for some oue in the Government Printer 's oliice!

This unusual position was brouglit to the notice of thuse coucerned yesterday when belated information was received by the Manawatu Uatchment Board and the Palmerston North River Board from the Under-Becretary of Inteimal Affairs (Mr. J. \Y. lleenan) stating that the river district had been abolished by proelamation dated December 3, 1945, and published in the Xew Zealand Gazette on December 6, 1945. In his letter lo the Catchment Board, | received at a meeting in Palmerston Xorth yesterday, XI r. lleenan expressed his regrets for the delay in supplying i the information. A eopy of the appro- | priate Xew Zealand Gazette notice was enclosed.

A letter was also received from the Audit Inspector (Mr. L. Ii. Martin) stating that he had been appointed to hold an inquiry and make an award apportioning the assets, lia bilities, etc., of the late board. The inquiry was set down to be held in the Palmerston Xorth City Councii Clianibers on Tuesday next at 1U a.m. Tlie abolition of the Palmerston Xorth River Board was ealled for by the Manawata Catchment Board which was empowered to dispense with internal boards within its area. Early moves in the matter, to which there were no objections, stipulated the date of abolition to be March 31, 1946, and this was the date which both the Catchment Board ..nd the River Board accepted. The news of the premature abolition has come as something of a surprise. Questioned about the subjeet yesterday, the clerk of the River Board (Mr. J. R. Hardie) said that he had received intimation of the board 's official abolition only that day. His board had continued to funetion and vvould continue to funetion until March .31, 1946. "We are still employing men, paying tliem and signing cheques, and we will continue to. do so until the end of this. month, " he said.