BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2177, 16 February 1881, Page 3

BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

The usual meeting of the Board of Conservators was held on Tuesday. Present—Messrs J. L. Wilson (chairman), Jones, White, Atkinson, Attwood, Peryman and Bong. A deputation from the Avon Road District waited upon the Board with reference to the encroachments of tho river at Ohaney's oorner and below White's bridge. Mr Flesher said the people in the Avon district felt that they had been hardly treated in the matter, as there had been nothing done to protect the land. He felt that the danger was increasing, and the time had now arrived when attention should be paid to the interests of the ratepayers in the district, who had only received about £3O expenditure for their rates. The groyne near Stewart's gully was doing a great deal of misohief, though only some four months had elapsed since it had been put in. At the request of the deputation the Chairman read the report of Mr Napier Bell.

After some desultory conversation, Mr Jonos pointed out that soma £2OOO had been expended where the overflow of the Styx came in, during the last three years, for the benefit of the Avon district.

Mr Cooper said he thought that there waa some mistake in the statement just made by Mr Jones. He was of opinion that the groyne would do a large amount of mischief. Mr Flesher desired to call the attention of the Board to the necessity of immediate aotion.

A disputattonal discussion ensued between Mr Boag and Mr Johns, one of the members of the deputation, after which the deputation retired. The Chairman said that he had taken the advice of the solicitor to the Avon Road Board, and ho had advised that the groyne could be removed. Mr Atkinson asked whether the Board had any right to interfere with a matter which was outside of their jurisdiction. The Chairman said they had power to remove an obstruction in the river.

Mr White was not of opinion that the groyne sent the water down Stewart's gully. Mr Boag said that Mr Stanton had told him that the groyne was on private property. Mr Jones thought that the question was so surrounded with financial and engineering difficulties that they could not go into it. He thought the effect of the groyne had been very greatly exaggerated. Mr Boag suggested that the first step to be taken by the Board should be to ascertain whether the groyno was on private property or not.

Mr Jones moved—" That the secretary be instructed to obtain information as to whether the groyne is on private property or not." Mr Boag seconded the motion. Tho Board relapsed into conversation between the' chairman and the members, and after this had lasted for some twenty minutes the Board resumed business, some members having spoken half a dozen times, and the chairman about twenty. After this tho Chairman asked that tho members would allow him to put the resolution.

It was resolved that the secretary write to the Eyreton Road Board to ask for information on the subject. The Chairman suggested that a trial groyne should be put in near Ohaney's corner. Mr White said that the chairman was asking them to do what was an illegal act, by placing an obstruction in the river. The Chairman ooid if the Board of Conservators were so faint hearted as not to dare to tackle sueh a bad place they should allow the Avon Road Boord to take the matter in hand. It would be cheaper for the Board to stop the river from encroaching upon the road than to buy a now road. A further conversation between the members and the chairman took place, at tho end of whioh it waß resolved,-in a sort of informal way, to leave the matter over till tho March meeting. The Becretarv said that the sums of £123 18a 2d and £BO 17s lid had been paid in since last, meeting. The oredit balance amounted to £375 12s lid. The balance sheet of the old Board had been audited, and the deeds, &c, handed over to the Board. It was resolved—" That the keys of tho securities be handed to the chairman of the Board and the chairman of tbe financo committee."

The Board once more relapsed into private conversation amongst the members as to the financial state of tho Board. After about a quarter of an hoar's conversation, it was agreed, on the suggestion of the chairman, to remit the matter to the finance committee. Mr Atkinson moved—" That in future the Road Boards bo requested to charge not more than 5 per eent. for tho collection of the Waimakariri rate." This was not seconded. Mr Joses then moved—" That the secretary be requested to write to the several local bodies, offering them 5 per cent, for the collection of the Waimakariri rate, ond reminding them that the principal local bodies have consented to do this." Mr Attwood seconded the motion.

Mr White contended that the statement was not true that the principal bodies nafl agreed to this. Betides this, he contended that the motion was opposed to the spirit of the Act. He trusted that this motion would be withdrawn, and if not, he should move p>> amendment. A further conversation between tbo members ensued. Mr White then moved as an amendment — " That the various Road Boards and Councils be asked at what rate of remuneration they will collect the Waimakariri rate." Mr Peryman seconded the amendment. The amendment was put, and carried. A further conversation ensued between tho members and the chairman as to the reduction of the salary of the overseer. Mr Atkinson moved " That the sum to be paid to the overseer be £l5O, after throe months' notice." Some conversational discussion ensued, and ultimately it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Peryman, " That the salary of the ovorseer be reduced 10 per cent.," Mr White dissenting." The works committee reported that tbey were of opinion that the reserves should bs subdivided into blocks from 30 to 600 acres, and submitted to public competition, but whether by public tender or auction they left the Board to decide.

After the transaction of some further routine business, the Board adjourned.