NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1901, 29 March 1880, Page 3

NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting of the above Board was held at the office, Southbridge, on Wednesday, March 24th. Present—Messrs Chas. Bourn (chairman), A. Storey, L. White, B. Lockhead and D. Marshall. The following correspondence was then read : From the Hon. John Hall, acknowledging the chairman’s letter of November 2Xst, stating that the best consideration of the Government would be given to the obstruction caused by the southern approaches of the Rakaia bridge to the proper course of the water, and to the clause suggested for insertion in the Canterbury Rivers Amendment Act. From Messrs Harper and Harper, enclosing certificate of title to the land purchased from Mr Braidley. From the Treasury, advising payment of moiety of subsidy on general rates, 1879. From Messrs McSwinney, Glasson and others re rates leviable on pronerties in Loe’s Lceston township extension. The Board were not able to strike any name off the roll, and recommended an application to the Assessment Court at its usual sitting. A circular explaining the meaning of certain terms in the Public Works Act waa also received.

The report of the Auditor-General on the Board’s accounts was read by the secretary, to whom instructions were given to have his suggestions carried out. The valuation Hat, certified to by the Judge of tho Assessment Court, was laid on the table. The Secretary stated that he had made a weekly inspection of the banks of the river, and had to report as follows:—“The season had not been free from freshets, some of which had be n of considerable magnitude, still tho actual damage done, beyond a trifling overflow and the usual scour, was trifling. The groins and banks had not teen damaged to any groat extent, and seemed to he maintaining the efficacy of the scheme. At present the moot dangerous points which deserved attention wore —1, the mouth of overflow gully by Gorman’s ; (2), a very low channel between tho sheep dip and the Heslerton boundary fence ; and (3), the crib work on Mr Storey’s reserve. The latter had been a place of imminent danger, but having been protected by two largo groins is at present partly secured. There had been employed on the works two two-horso teams,and two hands cutting and carting gorse, and one driver and foui’ men in tho groins. Ho would suggest that an additional two men bo employed for a couple of months, so that the work at Gorman’s and tho sheep dip might bo carried on at the same time, This extra expense would likely prove tho means of saving an enormous loss should a regular overflow once be started at these points. The Survey lOfficsr recommended that the old plan of the upper section of the river should not bo touched, hut that as soon as tho resurvey, which is commenced, was completed, a fresh plan bo prepared, so that tho reserve could bo dealt with in a reliable manner. Pending the arrival of this plan, nothing further had been done towards submitting the remainder of the reserves for letting. He had seen Mr White in Christchurch, and at the suggestion of the chairman asked him to make an inspection of the river from Gorman’s to the bridge, Mr White assented to c.o so any day that suited tho chairman and members of tho Board. The Board determined to inspect the dangerous places on tho river before incurring any additional liabilities, and arranged to meet Mr White on tho ground and confer with him. Payments which had been made by the chairman on the 18th November, 20th December, and 21st February, were examined and approved, and accounts amounting to £64 lid 41 passed for payment. The 'secretary was instructed to take the necessary steps for tho election of a member to serve in the place of Mr A. Storey, who retires by effluxion of time. It was resolved j to compel tho payment of outstanding rates. I A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting,