WAIKATO RIVER BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 121, 15 December 1915, Page 3

WAIKATO RIVER BOARD.

Monthly Meetihg.

Ih3 u; ml monthly meeting of the above authority was held on Saturday last. Present: Messrs A G C Glass, chairman, A Lapwood, M Gallery and S P Prendergaet, together with the clerk, Mr Ed Hallett. THE WHANGAPE CHEEK Mr Harold W Matthews cf Rangiriri, complained to the that throueh a blockage in the Whangipe creek, caused through logs falling therein, tbe creek bad lost two-thirds ot its natural flow and was hindering the benefits which had arisen through the Board's operations on the river. He asked the Board to advise him how io proceed with the work of improving the cieek this summer, and offered to pay a share of any expense incurred therewith. Be was ot tbe opinion that other* would also assist likewise, fie pointed oat that if the proposal to widen the canal Irom Roto Ngaro lake was cafried through without tint clearing the canal the consequences would be disastrous when the next flood came. On the chairman's proposal it was decided to go into the whole matter of willows in creeks at the following meeting, Mr Matthews tu be informed accordingly. The clerk was instructed to ask the Board's engineer when he could send an overseer to supervise the work. The chairman said that it was his intention to proceed with the clearing of creeks, etc., as early aa possible, tbe Maungatawhiri creek to be dealt with first, when a Sum of £2OO would be expended tbereon. TBE BOARD'S POWERS The Under-Secretary of the Department of 'Lands and Survey wrota with reference to mo interview the chairman of the Beard had with the Minister of Lands, and stated that section 18 of the Resrves, Etc., Disposal Act, 1915, validated the purchase ot a launch by tbe Waikato River Board out of loan monies.—Letter received. AN IMPEDIMENT A letter drawing the Board's attention to a number of piles, in the fairway, leading to the Eastern Drain which made it dangerous lor launches plying on the river, was received from Mr E I Frost, Tuakau, who stated that aa a result of coming into contact with one of the piles a hole waß knocked in his launch. Be suggested that they should be drawn out of tbe river, and, further, that a piece of timber should be bolted on the end pile of every groyne, aa they were often covered at high water. Mr Lapwood said that he had mentioned the matter to tbe foreman, who said that he would attend to it. The piles needed withdrawing. It was agreed that tbe work should be done under Mr Laowood's supervision and in accordance with the suggestions in Mr Frost's letter.

LAKE ROTO NGARO-WAIKATO RIVEK CANAL Tbe Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote expressing tbe opinion that as far as the unsdected Crown lands were concerned his Department would not offer any objection to the proposal by the settlers of Koto Ngaro to commence a canal to the Waikato river.—Letter received. FOREMAN'S REPORT Tbe foreman, Mr P Sellers, reported as follows, viz.:— Tbe workmen's cottages had been shitted to Maiora Bay, and tbe work was proceeding therein at top pressure. Since November 30th 184 piles and 60 punt loads of willows had been placed in position, and as scon as facilities offered he would put on 'two shifts.—The report was adopted. REPORTS The chairman reported that the Board's solicitor, Mr Hall Skelton, who had been authorised to collect the outstanding rates, had informed him that they were coming ;n well. The clerk reported that several ratepayers had intimated their intehtion to take up debentures to the extent of £IOO for the clearing of the Maungatawhiri stream. MISCELLANEOUS Remarking on the Board's financial* position tbe chairman said that tbe Board was in a position, with the loan money in hand and money from other sources to carry on operations for another six months. Expressions of appreciation of the secretary's (Mr Ballett) services during tbe year wid also the overseer's (Mr P Sellars) were made by the members. It was decided to hold the next meeting on Saturday, 15th January, IUI6.