BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2112, 30 November 1880, Page 2

BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting of the Board of Conservators for South Waimakariri was held at Mr Harman’s office this morning. Present— Mr K. J. S. Harman (chairman), Mr let, Mr Tosswill, and Mr O’Oallaghan. A report from Mr Bell on the condition of the river was submitted. The report was received, but action therein postponed, the Board having resolved to hand over the matter contained in it for the consideration cf the new Board, with an expression of opinion as to this Board’s concurrence in the report. This was all the business before the Board. The Chairman said be had noticed some - thought it desirable to say something in regard to the position of this Board. As remarks have been made in the newspapers with reference to the old members of the Board not offering themselves for election, I wish myself also to make a few remarks upon, the subject. I did not seek the office originally, but consented to accept it after hearing who my colleagues would be. I have now held the office for nearly twelve years, and during that period the Board, as far as I am aware, have been fortunate enough to secure ■ the confidence of the ratepayers. We have not vacated our offices, but are' being removed: from them by an outside authority; and L have no reason for supposing that this change has come about in consequence of any generally expressed wish of the ratepayers. Under the circumstances I do not feel called upon to offer myself for election, more especially as I do not care to hold the office except on conditions, which are now impossible, viz., a full knowledge beforehand of the colleagues with whom I should have to work. Mr O’Callaghan thought it was merely a matter for the outside public, who, if they wished any individual member to be on theBoard, could-requisition him. Mr Tosswill said the old. Board had always, acted harmoniously and, he believed, welL. He quite concurred in the remarks of the chairman. Mr Ick said the Board had themselves, affirmed the principle of an elective Board. The Chairman said it was oi course impossible to dispute the propriety of the principle. Mr xok said he holieved the chairman hodt been asked to stand, and he personally had said he would certainly not seek election unless a certain number cf the old Board were with him. The Chairman said ho had simply called attention to tbo matter cn account of certain, remarks ho had observed in the newspapers. Mr Tosswill expressed the opinion that a Board composed of nine members was too large, regarding it in the light of an engineering body. The matter was then allowed to drop. The engineer being called, said the state of the river works was satisfactory. He had nothing further to report. This concluded the business, and the Board, after passing accounts, adjourned till the 21st proximo.