WAIKATO RIVER BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 186, 27 June 1916, Page 2

WAIKATO RIVER BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waikato Kiver Hoard was hold at the Board's ofiiees at Mcrccr on Saturday last, Mr A. G. C. Glaa>, chairman, presiding. SUi'FLY OF PILES. A letter was received from Messrs Lapwood Bros., of Tutikau, complaining that after being instructed to provide on their agrrement a reserve supply of piles they had recently heen notified that further piles were not required for the present. They pointed out tint it was a hardship to them, since they had JEfOO worth of piles on band and asked the Board to make them an advance on the same. The chairman explained that after the notice given to Messrs Lapwood Bros, to stop cutting piles the Board accepted delivery of 300 piles and it was cot the Board's fault if Messrs Lapwood still had a large surplus on hand. He added that pile-driving had, however, only been temporarily stopped. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Gallery, it was agreed to inform Messrs Lapwood that the Board was not legally i empowered to make any advance payment as requested, but that it wbs hoped to shortly resume piledriving operations. UEBENTUKES. The chairman reported that debentures to the value of £6OO had been issued, the same being 10 per cent on the original loan of £6OOO for clearing tributaries, etc. THE NEW UKEDGE. The chairman reported that the Priestman dredge purchased by the Board had dulv arrived ana had bee taken by punt to j'uakau, where it wa9 being put together preparatory to being started in work. HEAVY KAILWAY CHARGE. In connection with the arrival of the dredge the Railway Department forwarded their way-bill for £39 10s 4d in respect of freightage from Faeroa to Mercer. Mr Gallery: The charge is most excessive. Only two trucks were used for it.

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr A. Lapwcod, it was reßolved to write to the Kailway Department protesting against the excessive charge made urd asking that the charge should be wholly remitted, Beeing that the dredge was to be used for public purposes. GOVERNMENT UK A NT. Mr A. C. Tribe, who acted on behalf of the shipping and timber industries in the recent petition forwarded to the Government asking for financial assistance towards keeping the VVaikato Kiver and its tributaries open lor navigation, forwarded a letter, dated May 6th, he had received from the Kt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Minister for Lands. In it Mr Masse; stated that a sum of £BSO was last year authorised to the Kiver Board lor expenditure on the tributaries on a £ for £ basis, but was not expended. lie (Mr Massey) proposed in the interests of those using the tributaries to place that item on this year's estimates as a itraigbt'out grant, so that the Kiver Board would be enabled to proceed with the work.— Mr Tribe also enclosed a copy of a letter he had sent Mr Massey in replv thanking the Minister for his information and expressing the hope that the main river would not be overlooked as otherwise it would continue to grow worse. KIVER INSPECTION. Discussion in regard to an inspection of the river made by Mr Ashley Hunter will be tound reported under a separate heading. RATES. 4 It was decided, on the motion of the chairman, seconded bv Mr Gallery, to give public notice in the "I'ulcckohe Times" of the intention of the Hoard, at a special meeting to be held on Saturday, •luly 29th, to pass a resolution, intended to operate as a Special Order, striking and levying a general rate for the eurrei.t year of Au hi the X on A class land, jd on It rlu ss land, and id on 0 class lands, as also special rates nf Jd, jjd and iMrtths pence on A, H nnd C class lands respectively.