LOWER WAIRAU RIVERS BOARD.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 112, 16 April 1880, Page 3

LOWER WAIRAU RIVERS BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held last evening. Present—Messrs C. Redwood, Davies, Horne, Eyles, and Parker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Messrs R. D. Nosworthy and C. H. Bushell, the Auditors, reported that they had carefully examined the accounts for the year 1579, and found that certain payments had been made without authority. H. Dodson L 72, J. Jellyman L2O IGs, and that in Mr RuiPs account a commission has heeu paid on L 125, which sum docs not appear in the Bank pass hook. Ll39Gsldwas paid on March 31st, 1579, retained in possession of the Trustees of the late Edmund Eccles. Tho expenditure of L 3 5s railway extension does not appear to have been made in accordance with the Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough Rivers Act. Mr O'Sullivan said he was dissatisfied with the audit. It appeared that there was a charge by Mr Ruff for collecting L 125, which did not appear to have been paid. Mr Eyles said this must he the money that was found in the safe after Mr Eccles’ death, which Mr Ruff said was Conservators’ money. Mr Redwood said he was not clear that this was the same money. Mr O'Sullivan said he would suggest that the auditors should he requested to make a thorough investigation of the matter. Mr Eyles said Messrs J. and F. Redwood attended a meeting after Mr Eccles’ death —Mr Ruff was also present —and said there was over LIOO in the safe belonging to the Board, and said they had no claim to it and ordered it to be paid over. Mr C. Redwood said the Trustees never got the money, and had a claim agaiust tho estate for the amount. He would very much like to know where the money was. It was agreed to refer the matter back to the auditors with instructions for them to investigate it thoroughly and take evidence if necessary, —on the motion of Mr Eyles, seconded by Mr Parker.

TENDERS. The following tenders were opened for the erection of a bank 9.} chains, on section 24 Opawa—M. Carrol 1 L 3 10s per chain, D. Bisholl L 195 the job, H. O'Leary L 217 do., J. H. Aberhart Ll2O do. Mr Carroll's tender, being the lowest, was accepted, Mr Eyles observing that the work could never be done for the money.

LAND AT LEARY’S BREACH. Mr T. Newman wrote to the Board asking leave to occupy apiece of land at Leary’s breach at LI a year, on condition that he fenced in the willows. On the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Eyles, the offer was accepted. PETITION. The Chairman laid before the Board the following petition signed by 45 ratepayers: —“ We, the undersigned ratepayers, having heard, with feelings of great alarm, that the diversion of the waters of the Taylor river into the Omaka, have been contemplated by your Board, and believing .that

such diversion would have the most disastrous effect on our properties, we humbly beg that before any action is taken, the opinion of a competent surveyor be had, also evidence of those amongst us, who, having been resident in the district for a length of time, should he in a position to form an opinion, and whose evidence we fully believe will be to the effect that the Omaha.* in time of flood, is quite incapable ing its own water without any addition be-'

ing made. _ , , The Chairman said in his opinion, t;ie turning the Taylor into tho Oinaka, and the Oinaka into the Opawa near Leary's would he a great benefit to Blenheim and the district, and as regarded the Taylor the Borough Council would work with them, In order to turn the Omaka into the Opawa they would have to take some of Mr Mclvor’s land, and lie wanted LIOO, calculating that ten acres would be taken. He (Mr Redwood) did not think more than six acres would be required. Mr Mclvor admitted that the work would he a great benefit to him, but lie used the odd argument that ho ought to be paid because it would benefit his neighbors more than himself. Mr Jackson offered to convey what was wanted of his land at a mere nominal sum.

Mr Parker thought the offer was not sufficiently explicit. Mr Eyles suggested that a lump sum of LSO be offered to Mr Mclvor. Mr Redwood thought it would be better to say LlO per acre. It was agreed to make this offer to Mr Mclvor and if he accepts it, that a Committee of the whole Board be called together. The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the petition, and to inform the petitioners that the Board does not contemplate taking any action with regard to the Taylor unless the Omaka is diverted into the Opawa.

rose’s bank. Mr Eyles said he would move that Mr Barv inspect the bank at Fairhalls farm before the work at Rose s bank is proceeded with and report as to the cost of raising it from the now embankment to Nelsonstreet bridge. Dr Horne seconded, but said this bank was cut through after every Hood to let the water off. The motion was agreed to. The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Mr Fairhall on the subject, and to inform lmn of the above resolution. TAYLOR RIVER. The Chairman stated that he and others have inspected the East bank of the J aylor (as reported in a former issue of this paper) from the Cemetery to the old mill, and thought that a very good place for turning it into the Omaka would he near the old mill dam. Mr T. Redwood, who owned the property, would let them cut away where they liked. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment: —C. Smart ( piles) LI6 17s 9d, G. Bary Ll 3 2s, YVithcy L 5 4s, Rogers and Co. (pile driving) L 77, Furness and Bonnily L 5 0s fid, Elbeck 3s, Boyce 15s, Auditors L44s. The Board then adjourned.