OTAKI RIVER BOARD.

Otaki Mail, 9 February 1923, Page 3

OTAKI RIVER BOARD.

FIRST MONTHLY MEETING. The first monthly meeting of ihe Otnki River Board was held iu the Council .Chambers on Wednesday night.

Present: Messrs G, H. Harper, Ben i Ling, F. J. Ryder, A. J. Podevin, .1. ; Robinson, Preston-Thomas, and H. B, Lethbridge. The Returning Officer (Mr F. O. Davies) was present and read an extract notifying the election of the above, and invited nomination- for the position of Chairman. On the motion of Mr Podevin, seconded by Mr Robinson, it was decided that Mr Harper be elected. On taking the position Mr Harper expressed his thanks to members, and stated that although he had had no .experience of local body work he might be aide to assist on law points, of which he had made a study. He asked that members be brief and business-like in discussing matters.

Mr Ryder*considered members had chosen the right man as Chairman, and said thanks were due to both Messrs Harper and Palmer for their assistance in forming the River Board. They had taken a keen interest in the past and no doubt would do so in the future.

Mr Davies was appointed clerk and rate collector at a salary of £-50 per annum for one year, the position to include no engineering work. The question of securing suitable offices was discussed, and it was decided to make application for the use of the Council Chambers.

It was agreed to meet on the last Thursday iu each month at 7.30 p.m. It was decided that the Board collect its own rates through its Clerk and not through a local authority. The Chairman pointed out that the Board included portions of two lea! bodie.- the Horowhcnua County Council which collected on the capita] value, and the Otaki Borough Council which collected on the unimproved, but the Rating Amendment Act, he said, fortunately provided for this.—Decided to rate on the capital value. The Chairman said the Board could not rate more than ljd in the £. therefore he considered the decision a wise one. He added that the rate could not be struck till the land was classified, but believed they could borrow by overdraft. If the Minister of Finance thought fit he would allow the Board to borrow on three-quarters of their

estimated revenue. A 1-d rate 011 £IBO,OOO would give £1125. but they would have to strike different rates 0;: different classes of land anil the average would be below in the •£, therefore they would only get about £550 of revenue the firs t year. The Board could apply for leave to borrow. It was decided to appoint the Bank of New Zealand as its banker, and to approach the Minister of Internal Affairs for leave to borrow under the Local Bodies Finance Act, 1921. The Board, the Chairman added, must have funds to carry on. Mr Harper then pointed out that classification was the bedrock of the whole thing, and that when the land was classified the ratepayers would have the right to object. It was decided that Messrs W. Best and C. Kilsby be appointed to examine and classify all rateable properties within the district into classes mentioned in the'River Boards Amendment Act, I 1913, subject to their remuneration being acceptable to the Board, also that disputes arising be referred to Mr Martin Simcox, whose decision would be final. v. It was also resolved to write to the Hutt, Palmerston-Kairanga. and Waiohine River Boards for information as to classification, etc. The question of removal of shingle from the bed of the river was also discussed, the Chairman pointing out that the whole of the river from bank to bank came under the Board's jurisdiction, and that no one could take shingle without the Board's permission. If against the Board's interests it could stop the removal, but on the other hand the Board had no power to sell shingle unless it was considered necessary that it should be removed. If they wished to stop the removal they must give notice. Members present thought it might prove a hardship on contractors if removal was refused at once, and it was deemed advisable to give reasonable notice. —Decided to give notice that no more gravel or sand be taken from the river bed after the end of March without the authority of the River Board. It was agreed to make an inspection !bi vhe river en Jrancfsy ■week, the" memT,ers to lenvp +l> n Past Office en horse-