NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2014, 7 August 1880, Page 4

NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting was held at the office of the Board, Southbridge, on Tuesday, August 3rd. Present —Messrs O. Bourn (in chair), B. J. Lee, B. liookhead, L. "White, and D. Marshall The Seoretary reported that the receipts since last meeting had been £426 19$ 4d ; disbursements, £SBB Os 6d ; and the Bank balance was £l7l Is 9d. He stated that the Government had appointed Mr H. P. Higginson, of Dunedin, to report on the vexed question of damage this district aotually sustains through the obstruction caused by the southern approaches to the bridge ; that Mr E. Dobson had been nominated to act on behalf of the Beard, with Mr Avon as referee. Mr Dobson had made preliminary surveys and prepared a most valuable plan showing comparative levels of both ban Vs. The ohairman and the secretary had accompanied the engineers to the Bakaia, and wore present during the whole of the inspection. The report of the engineers had not bean sent in, but it was thought likely that it be favourable to the wishes of the Board. Both Mr Higginson and Mr Dobson had expressed themselves highly satisfied with the plan adopted by the Board in protecting the river bank, and felt suro of the ultimate success of the Boheme if persevered in. A letter was read from Mr W. L. Allan, asking to be allowed a rebate of his rent, as he hitd lost considerably through rivor encroachments* It waß resolved that Mr Allan he referred to the last clause of bis lease. The consideration of letting the reserves was deferred until the next meeting. Mr Lee expressed himself in favour of restricting the tenants from breaking up certain portions adjoining the banks of the river. It was decided to offer Wall's reserves for lease with the others.

The Ohairman was authorised to initial and write off errors in the rote book for 1879 amounting to £l7 6s Bd, and the seoretary instructed to recover the remainder at once.

It was resolved that legal notice be given of the Board's intention, at a special meeting to be held on the 20th August, to levy a rate of sixpence in the pound on the rateable properties in the district. Mr Miln interviewed the Board and applied for protection at his boundary, with Mr Strong. The Board recognised the danger and promised to consider Mr Miln's request. The Secretarj endorsed Mr Miln's remarks, and urged the importance of protecting several points with groins, as well as erecting a few chains of earthworks to stop some threatening overflows, in addition to sowing a few acres with gorse seeds, as the expense attached to the gorse carting was daily increasing. Mr Lookhead thought that a special rate should be struck if funds were required for additional works at any particular point. The ohairman was authorised to sign the pay sheet, &c, and the meeting adjourned.