NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2483, 22 March 1882, Page 3

NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting of the Board was held at Southbridge, on Monday. Present—Mr T. R. Campbell ((in the chair)/ E. J. Lee, T. Osborne, S. Forsyth, and W. Bishop.—Mr Lee asked that the minutes referring to the special rate be expunged, as it did not contain the expression he made use of. This was o >nsented to, and the minutes as amended duly confirmed.—The Chairman stated that be was glad to be able to inform the members that some three weeks ago two-thirds of the men employed had been discharged. He had taken it upon himself to pay them, but had held over the other accounts for their approval, That the foreman of the works suggested a further reduction in the staff, and only one small gang kept on. On the motion of Mr Lee, seconded by Mr Osborne, it was resolved —“That the number of hands be reduced as soon ns the works in course of construction would be in a sufficiently secure state, and the rate of wages be lowered to 7s per day of eight hours.” The financial statement showed the receipts since the previous meeting to be —rate 1879, £1 5a ; rate 1880, £7O; rate 1881, £100; rents, £6l 7s sd; Bank overdraft, £146 Os 2J. Disbursements—Bank overdraft, 30th January, £54 Oj lid ; interest, £3 9s 8d ; wages, £271 17s 3d ; salary, £35 ; sundry accounts, £l4 4j 9d,—The following correspondence was laid on tho table :—Telegram from the Hon. John Hall, in reply to tho chairman’s message, informing tho Board “ that Mr Blair had instructed the district engineer to hurry on the removal of bant at Bakaia as fast as possible. —The Chairman stated that nothing had as yet been done. The Board requested Mr Campbell to write at once to Mr Hall, to bring more forcibly under his notice the loss the district is sustaining every flood, and asking him to use his influence to get the obstruction at once removed. From Mr Cherles Hurst, agreeing to the settlement by arbitration of the conditions on which the contemplated land exchange should bo made, and to defraying all costs in connection therewith, provided that these costs are taken into|oonsideration by the arbitrator in making his award. It was resolved to inform Mr Hurst that the Board would not deviate from their previous offer. —Re Bradshaw’s lease, the Board agreed, und§r the circumstances, to determine this lease, provided tho sum of £lO be paid within ten days, and all expenses in connection with tho lease and surrender be defrayed by lessees. The question of letting the blue gum and forest tree plantations was considered, and the secretary was instructed to call for tenders for letting them all, subject to some additional clauses being inserted in the leases having special reference to the preservation of the trees. —It was decided to call for tenders fop repairing and making thoroughly eheep proof the fence round the reserve adjoining Anderson’s.—Tenders to be accepted by the chairman —Mr Forsyth proposed, and Mr Osborne seconded—“ That a special rate be struck on all the property directly affected by an overflow from tho river at any of tho threatened leads.”—An amendment was proposed by Mr Bishop, and seconded by Mr Lee—“ That before action bo taken with reference to striking a special rate, a careful examination bo made of the terraces and gullies leading from the river, with the view of determining such special district.” Tho amendment was agreed to, and Monday appointed for the inspection.—The secretary's report on tbo works that bad been done daring the past month showed that the immediate donger at Bramley’s and below Knyvett’s gums was averted ; that about seventy chains of substantial earth-works had been erected, and seme ton new groins constructed, so that with ordinary maintenance both places might be looked upon as secure. Tho recommendation that the river frontages above Anderson’s and at Gallagher's be fenced off, and as the season advances planted with willows, was given effi ct to. —The paysheet presented by the chairman, amounting to £321 2s, was formally approved, and sundry accounts, amounting to £l3l 17s 9d, were passed for payment, and tho Board adjourned after having instructed the secretary to sue without respect of persons for all outstanding rates.