BOARD OF CONSERVATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2631, 12 September 1882, Page 3

BOARD OF CONSERVATION.

Tuesday, Sbfxxmbbb 12. The usual meeting of the Board of Conservators of the South Waimakariri district was held at 2 p.m. Present —Messrs Jones (ohairman), England, Peryman, Boag, Attwood, Lambert, Wilson, and Atkinson. The overseer's report was read, stating that there had been an ordinary freshet in ths river on Friday and Saturday j no damage was done. Against No. 14 and the end of No. 5 the stroam ran very hard. At present there was but little water in the south branch at the lower works, most of the water going on the south side of Babbit Island. The groyne at Ohaney's Corner had been lowered some three feet by the fresb, and the work of raising it was now in course of being carried out. The small unfinished groyne lower down had been washed away, costing some £2O.

of the works committee, Mr England, gave a resume of the work done in regard to planting the river banks, comprising acorns, oaks, ashes, wattles, and willow stakes. At Ohaney's Corner willow cuttings had been put in, and other planting work done. The oost for the year's planting had been £252 10s 6J, exoeeding the rote by £2 10s 6d. The cost of a groyne at Ohaney's Corner had been £66. The ohairman then proceeded to detail the works in hand. He would recommend that the Board should grant them some £B3 to replace the groyne oarried away. He might say that 9500 willow stakes hed been planted in the river bed, commencing at twenty-five chains above No. 15, then at No. 15 itself, and No. 14 embankment. The stakes had been generally planted in double rows 20ft apart, and at right angles to the river bed. The totel oost of that work would be £122 19s 6d. The number of trees planted on the banks at the upper and lower works was 7965, also 29,650 poplar cuttings, 15,0C0 acorns, and eight acres sown with wattles and .blue gums. The planting had been carried down the river bank from the upper works, and in the opposite direotion from below, so that eventually there would be a continuous line of plantation. At Brabazon's old homestead eight acres of wattles had been sown at a cost of £lls 7s 6d. At Ohaney's corner 1100 basket willow trees and 8000 willow cuttiDgs have been planted at a oost of £l4 3s 6d.

Mr Wilson said that ho thought the works oommittee deserved very great oredit for the activity whioh they had displayed in their planting operations. He was in f *vor of the amount asked for (£80) being granted to the works committee to cany out the groyne. He would move—" That the worl oommittee be granted £BO to raise the prese and carry out another groyne." Tho work was greatly wanted, as unless it was done, the bank would stand a chance of being carried away. Mr Peryman seconded the motion, whioh was agreed to. Accounts to the amount of £1227 9j 33 were passed for payment. At the request of Mr P. Hill, the leaie held by him was transferred to Mr Philpot. A letter was read from Mr Pinlay, stating that the river had oarried away a very large portion of tbe land held on lease from the Board by him, and ieguesting a reduction m his rent in consequence thereof. This matter was referred to the works committee.

A request from Mr Wilson asking leave to break up a portion of the reserve held by him wm referred to Mr Boag to aot on.

The Chairman brought before the Board the question of allowing travelling expenses to the country member!. The practice obtained in the Board of Education and the Belwyn County Council. He thought the Board might well consider the question. Mr Wilson was in favor of it, as the same regulation was in foroe in oonneotion with other public bodies. Mr England moved—" That the travelling expenses of the country members of the Board be refunded to them." Mr Lambert seconded the motion. Some discussion ensued as to the radius, Mr Boag speaking against the resolution, and ultimately the resolution was proposed as follows:—"That the travelling expenses of ar.y member living throe miles from the offioe be refunded."

Mr Boag moved a? an amendment—" That the members living more than ten miles from the Board office be refunded their travelling expenses." Mr Attwood seconded the amendment, whioh on being put was lost. The original motion was then put and oarried. The Board then adjoursed.