Mukaka River Board.

Manawatu Herald, 9 May 1895, Page 2

Mukaka River Board.

The above Board met at the Library building yesterday at 10 a.m. Present — The Chairman (B. Gardner), Messrs Gower, Nye and Carter. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ] CORRESPONDENCE. Mr J. Strang wrote asking that his name be inserted on rate-roll in place of A. Strang. Manager Bank of New Zealand, Fox ton, wrote stating the Board could have advance requested. Foxton Borough Council agreeing to let the use of Library for meetings of the Board. The following resolutions were passed :— Proposed by G. Nye. seconded by B. Gower, That the Bank of New Zealand be the bank of the Mukaka ' Biver Board. Mr Ashby sent in a report on the

damage done, and found that there were 255 chains of gaps to be made up and 114 chains of new embankment to be formed. Mr Nye considered the question a most important one. Much of the embankment had proved incapable of [withstanding the late heavy floof. It was more a question of money than engineering. The banks nfupt be made much stronger in the future to be effectual. Banks that would withstand a heavy flood must be made with a gradual Blope on both sides. He offered a sketch of proposed embankments, and how existing ones could be strengthened. These showed a base of 88 feet for a rise of 5 feet, or 25 feet for a rise of 4 feet, and so on. Such banks would not often need repairs ana they would provide a place of refuge for stock. He felt that they had a serious duty to the ratepayers ana must not consider the amount of the first outlay. The business of the Board should be to look upon their duty as being to make all new work, so to secure the whole district and to last for all time and a benefit to those who have to find the money. Mr Gardner agreed that any new work to be done must be done thoroughly. If we waited until we had the money it might be too long and a flood would come between whiles. It was imperative to repair the breaks. He thought it was not necessary to strengthen the existing banks at once. , MrNyeSftidhe was not desirous ot staying any wk until the whole could be done. Buttons of the work may be gone <jtfißßi*fc once. He was of opinion thatilie embankment must be done by a loan. Proposed by G. Nye, seconded by B. Gower, That Mr Edwin A*M>jr be appointed Inspector of Worty for No. 1 Subdivision of the Mokaka River Board at eight shillings per day when working. , , • Proposed by R. Gardner, seconded by S. Carter, That tenders be called for 14, one mile sections, (more or less) of river embankment. All particulars may be obtained from the Board's Clerk. Tenders must he in by That this be advertised in the Manawatv Herald, Palmerston Tim*, and Evening Post, Wellington. Proposed by B. Gower, seconded by S. Carter, That notice be given to all landowners in the Mukaka River Board distriot that the Board intends to start the embankment any time after twenty-four hours. Proposed by R. Gardner, seconded by G. Nye, That John H. P. Strang'i letter be acknowledged and that he be informed that be be require.^ tD produce bis brother's authority for the substitution, as soon as .he does so the Board agrees to bis name being placed on the valuation roll. Some small accounts were passed for payment. Proposed by S. Carter, seconded by B. Gower, That Mr Thomas Wilson be thanked for handing into the charge of the Board the agreement entered into between th» settlers on the Manawatu river for the protection of their property by river embankment, made on the Jfjtti of November, 1892. Proposed by B. Gower, leoonded by G. Nye, That the next meeting of the Board be held on the 6th June.