Proposed River Board.

Manawatu Herald, 13 November 1894, Page 3

Proposed River Board.

The fleeting advertised to be held at the Motoa Estate to consider the advisability of forming a River Board for the low lying lam]s on the banks 6t the Maiiawatu 1 River wag duly held yesterday at 11 a.m. Among those present were Messrs T. Wilion, the Manager of the Motoa Estate, Francis Robinson and Walter Robinson, representing the Robinson Bros., A. 8» Easton, A. Saunders, F> Carter, representing darter Bros., Belli representing Mr t\. Gardner* Allan Strang and John Sfcrang» l'ept'eseiltiag the Strang Bros.* T. £. Williams, the Mayor of the tkJroughj G. Nye, W. Howe, and R. Austin. Mr Nye proposes* and Mr Sfcranp seconded, That Mi* Wilson take the chair.-— Carried. Mr Wilson said he had convened the meeting as to the advisability of forming a Rivet Board. He gave an Olitliile of tbe proposed bomidaries. it would be proponed to divide that area into two wards. No. 1 Ward would take in all the Motoa land up to near Messrs Robinson's and McPherson's eastern boundaries. No. 2 Ward would take all the land lying west of this. No. 1 Ward would consist of an area of 9412 acres and would have a valuation of £45,028. There were 14 names on the roll. In this ward the work which was necessary had been com plete.di For every pound to be raised the Motoa Estate would have to pay Ids, and others Would pay in lesser proportions. No. 2 Ward requires all the work to be done. Mr W. Robinson, Nye and himself had been round and noted what would be needed. A bank would have to be put up 3 feet by 11 or 12 feet wide. His estimate was for the bank from end of the Motoa Estate bank to Messrs Symons' mill under £200. Provision would also have to be made for surface water. A large shallow drain would want making from the river to the turn in the Govt. drain. It would have to be a drain about 20 feet wide and 2to 8 feet deep. This would want a floodgate Ho thought it might cost £200 to £260 for drain and gate. The whole amount might be stated as not likely to exceed £500. In No. 2 Ward the area was 1858 acres, and the valuation was £11,654. There were 9 names on the roll. To raise this sum I would depend on the parties interested if tbey used their own capital or raised , a loan for that purpose. In the area mentioned the portion from Symons' mill to Foxton was not included and was not of import 4 ance to secure the land in Wards 1 and fi from flood. He thought that if the owners desired to take advantage of the Board they should be allowed to do so as a separate ward. It depended, of course, whether the owners in Nos. I and 2 Ward pleased. In some of the p roposed area some of the land would not be so liable to flood as other portions. The Act made full provision for this as it permitted differential rating. The process of forming a River Board is simple enough. A petition would have to be signed and presented to the Government. He strongly urged the foundation of a Board. Mr G. Nye said it was seen that an extra outlet was necessary in the No. 2 Ward to carry off flood water. He believed the drain would coet £80 or £90, and a double floodgate would ba needed. These two works would cost £220 or more. Mr Bell asked some questions which were satisfactorily replied to by the chairman. Mr F. Robinson moved That the land as defined in the petition be formed into a River Board. Mr Allan Strang seconded the motion whioh was carried unanimously. Mr G. Nye proposed that the new River Board be called the Mukaka River Board. Seconded by Mr W. Robinson.-— Carried. The chairman intimated that this closed the business of the meeting and requested those present to sign the petition, which they readily did. *- The boundaries of the proposed Board are as tollows :— no. 1 ward. Starting from River Manawatn where road on west side Sec. 52. pt. B. intersects. Along that road to Foxton-Shannon road, along that road to east boundary Sec. 83, along tha same to corner, and along south boundaries of Sec. 88, 82, 81, along oast boundary Section 80, to south east corner and along south boundary of Sections 80, 29, 28, 27. 485, 486. along east boundary of Sec. 257, down east boundary of same and along south boundary of same and 258 to road, along said road to corner and along road to N.E. corner Section 488, thence along eastern boundary of Sec. 438 to road on Government drain, thence along that road to western boundary of Sec. 538 to River Manawatu thence up the north bank of isaid river to starting' point. Starting from Mft&awatu river at

S.E. boundary of Sec. 481, thence along eastern boundary of same to roadi thence along road to SiE. corner of Section 484, thence along eastern boundary of said Section to road, thence along road to where it intersect* the Mann^ntu Pivor thence along the river to the smarting point.