NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1267, 10 April 1878, Page 3

NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting of the Board was held at Mr Dcsborough’s office, Southbridge, on Monday, Bth instant. Present—Mr B. J. Lee (chairman), Messrs J. J. Loe and A. Storey. The Chairman stated that his object in calling the present meeting had been to provide for some difficulties which appeared to exist as to the manner of election of a member in the place of Mr Job Osborn, who had tendered bis resignation. The simplest plan appeared to him to ho to communicate with the Government as to bringing the district under the Local Elections Act, and as to which he would ask them to authorise! his taking farther legal advice. [The chairman laid upon the table a letter from Messrs Hanmer and Harper.] He had again endeavored, in pursuance of then 1 resolution, to obtain the report of a Government engineer upon the levels in the upper part of the district without success. He had, however, obtained the opinion of Mr Carruthets as to the effeclfofgtlio southern approaches to the Rakaia bridge, who reports that it is immaterial, and from which opinion ho ventured to differ when he saw a heavy stream running under the bridge and a considerable gang repairing the damages done by the late freshes. He had then requested the services of Mr Napier Bell, who expressed his willingness to act had not other duties prevented, and advised communication witli Mr Webstev, from whom he had not as yet received a reply. These preventions were especially to bo regretted as they of necessity delay a general meeting of tho ratepayers, before whom he was anxious to place the facts to be educed and the financial position of tho Board. In pursuance of the Rivers Act, 1870, he had applied to the Government that the Chairman of the Selwyn County Council might be appointed by the Governor to decide upon tho matter oi the intended special rate. The Hon, John Hall, who had upon inspection, expressed much satisfaction with tho works, had consented to act, and of his days of session due notice would be given. The Crown grants for the reserves, he was glad to say, were in a forward slate, and he would recommend the appointment of a committee with a view to their careful subdivision into farms. As to the financial position, the Bank overdraft was over £3OOO, whilst works were being on at a cost of fro-pt £u.OQ Ip £'/Q0 per month. Upon careful'inspection, he could state that no superlluons expenditure had been incurred, and that there was absolute necessity to complete the scheme as proposed by Mr White and authorised by Tho point of most imminent danger was just the Hcslcrtou and Haldon fence, where considerable works arc in course of construction, the cessation of which would bo at the risk of much valuable property. Those already completed had stood heavy tests admirably, and he had much pleasure in laying upon, (.he table a letter from Mr M,vis, Enginccr-in - Chief of Adelaide, who had inspected and expressed Ins high approbation of the worxs. Under these circumstances he could see no other course than by means of a loan to pay off present liabilities and thoroughly complete Mr White’s scheme, whilst in the future tiic reserves rental would pay interest and provide a sinking fund and a light rut j bo sufficient for maintenance of works. '

A letter from Mr dob Osb.orn was read, tendering his resignation of membership. A letter from Mr Capnpn f\nci others, protesting against a special rate, was read. A letter from the Under-Secretary for Public Works was read, conveying the opinion of the Chief Engineer a a to the effect upon the river by the' Ilakaia bridge south approaches. A letter from the Undersecretary fpjf. Crown Lands was read, stating that reserve? Crown grants Were in course of preparation, A circular from Messrs Bain and Warner, offering to prepare plans, was read.

A letter from the manager of the Union Bank of Australia was read, granting the chairman’s request for temporary accommodation. The monthly pay-sheet, amounting to £762 6s 7d, was passed for payment; also imprests Nos. 6,7, 8, amounting to £sl !6s 6:1.