WAIKATO RIVER BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 102, 1 November 1915, Page 2

WAIKATO RIVER BOARD.

Monthly Meeting. At the usual monthly meeting of the above Hoard, held on Saturday last, Mr A. G. C. Glass presided. The other members present were Messrs J. T. Crooio, K. Clephaoe and S. P. Prendergast RATING ON HIGHLANDS. Mr B. Lindberg, Pukekawa, waited on the Board in connection with the rates levied on property he owned at Pukekawa. Be complained that while the total area was 380 acres, 360 was high, land, and should accordingly be exempt from rates. He consequently asked tor a refund of the rates paid on the highland. The chairman pointed out that it was impossible, for the Board t refund rates, but tbat with the new classification matters would be altered in accordance with tha figures tbat Mr Lindberg had submitted. SECURING FINANCE.

The chairman reported tbat as a result of his. recent visit to Wellington Sir Joseph Ward had, through Mr Bollard, M.P., agreed to have a clause inserted in the Washing-up Hill, whereby the Board could arrange for a bank overdraft for £IOQD at a rate not exceeding 6 per cent on the security of the working plant.—lt was unanimously agreed that Mr Glass should be accorded the best thanks of the Board for the very able manner which he negotiated business in connection with the finances of the Board whilst in Wellington. It was further decided that the clerk should write to both Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Bollard, thanking them for assistance rendered.

Mr Glass further reported that an unfortunate obstacle had arisen in connection with , tbe debentures issued to raise money for tbe cleaning of the Maungatawhiri stream. Tbe debentures were made out for £2O, each, whereas tie ratepayers were under the impression that they would be tor £5 each. Mr Glass intimated that by an Act brought down in Parliament in 1913 tbe Government was restricted from issuing debentures to local bodies with a face value of less than £2o.—Members were surprised at the information, and considered that it would seriously affect the sale of tbe debentures.—lt was decided that the Minister of Internal Affairs should be written to with a view of arranging an amicable settlement, agreeable to all parties concerned. PROGRESS OF WORK. •

Mr P. Sellars, Foreman of Works, reported that all the pile driving for the groynes at tbe Elbow bad been completed on the li)tb inst. Fascine work was being pushed ahead with expedition, three weeks having already been spent in tbat work at the lower end of the river. Blasting and harrowing operations in connection with the work of removing the sand block in Maiora Bay commenced on October 4th and had been continued with satisfactory results until the recent gale, when the gang had to withdraw from the bay. On October 25th inst. the depth at the lower end was three teet over a width of 50 feet. Tbe placing of sand tags in the bay to turn the water into the cut was very satisfactory, withstanding tbe gales.— The report was adopted.