BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2271, 13 July 1881, Page 4

BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

The usual monthly meeting of the Board of Conservator waa held at 2 p.m. yeßterday. Present Moßsru J. L. Wilson (chairman), F. Jones, White, Peryman, England, Attwood, Lambert, and Boag.

The report of the overseer was read and considered. He reported the river as being in good condition. The works committee reported having inspected the banks of the river in the vicinity of No. 7 and McLean's with regard to tree planting. Mr Armstrong, Government gardener, had given the committee the benefit of his advice, and they had begun work at once, and done a good deal of work. Some 6000 trees, consisting of birch, oak, ash, and poplsrs, were obtained from the Domain Board. It was resolved to oonfine the operations for this season to the two miles of bank already montioned, and a portion of the bank in tho vicinity of Mr Jeal's house. It was resolved to plant on all available spots on these bankß sowing Tasmanian wattle and stringy bark between the trees. A number of willow cuttings had been procured and put in. It was also intonded to plant gorso seed on the top and aides of the Bhingle embankment. It was also proposed to form two small nurseries for raising plants on the property of the Board at various spots. The oommittee spoke of the generosity of the Domain Board in affording them so large an amount of assistance. The report was considered clanae by clause. Mr Jones said that the trees given by the Domain Board would require to be planted at thet upper works, as there was fencing there to protect them. Next year he trusted the Board would allow the various spots suitable for planting to be fenced in, bo that planting might go on. After some further discussion, Mr White moved Mr Peryman seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Several accounts, amounting to £lsloslod, were passed for payment. Mr Atkinson proposed a vote of thanks to tho Domain Board for the handsome present of trees to tho Board of Conservators. Mr Boag seconded the motion, which was carried. A letter was read from the Templeton Road Board clerk, stating that the cost for collection of the rate in the district would be 10 per cent. Similar letters were read from the clerks of the Linooln and Springs Road Boards. One from the Borough Council of Sydenham, offered to do tho work at 7k V or cent., provided tho Road Boards concerned did the same. The Chairman said that the Avon Road Board had agreed to collect the rate for 7£ per cent. Mr White said that he should be prepared to vote for tho Springs distriot getting the 10 per cent., because they had no rate of their own to collect. Mr Jones said that the amounts colleoted by the country Road Boards were so small that 10 per cent, really was not much after all. Tho Chairman pointed out that the Act provided that an appeal could be made to the district auditor if the Boards would not accept the terms offered. The offers of the Heathcote and Avon Boards to collect at 7i per cent., and the City Council at 5 per oent., were read. Mr Jones moved—" That in those cases where the offer to oolleot the rates for 7£ per oent. had been refused, the question be referred to the distriot auditor under the Act." Mr England seoonded the motion. Mr White wished to know what tho cost would be. It might be more than paying the 10 per cent. Tho Chairman pointed out that the reso lution had been put and carried. Mr White would then enter his protest against the ohairman not giving him time to move an amendment. It was agreed to re-open the question. Mr White desired to move, as an amendment—" That the letters be handed over to the finance committee for a report," The amendment was not pressed, and the motion was carried, Mr White dissenting. An opinion was read from the solicitor, stating that the property of the Board was exempt from rating under the action of the Abolition of Provinces Act. A letter was read from Mr Marshman, in reply to one asking the Planting Board to plant the reserves of the Board of Conservators, asking why the Board did not plant their own resorveß, as the Planting Board could not plant any reserves beyond those placed under their control. Mr Peryman explained that he had moved at the last meeting of the Selwyn County Council that Mr Wilson's name should be placed on the planting committee for expending. £SOO in planting trees, &0., but it was refused. He maintained, as a 'principle, that the Board was as much entitled to a portion of that vote as any Road Board in the county, and he should watch it narrowly in the County Counoil to see that the Board of Conservators got their share. [Hear, hear.] A letter was read from the City Council, forwarding an account of rates collected for 1879 80 by the Council for the Board. Tho matter was referred to the finance committee. It was resolved that the seal of the Board be affixed to the leases of the reserves. After the transaction of some routine business, the Board adjourned.