MERCER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 297, 31 July 1917, Page 1

MERCER

WAIKATO KIVEB BOABD The usual monthly meeting was held last Saturday, the members present being Messrs A. G. C. Glass (chairman;, M. Gallery, S. P. Pendergast, and A. Lapwood, with the Clerk (Mr E. Hallett). BOTO NOARO CREEK The Chairman reported that the Boto-Ngaro drain contract had been completed by Messrs M. Gojock and Co, of Bangiriri, according to the specification at their agreed price and that the woik was regarded as satisfactory. A REPORT WASTED Mr Henry E. R. L. Wily wrote asking for a copy of Mr Kennedy's report to the Board in answer to the report made by Mr Ashley Hunter on behalf of the Government.—The letter was " received." KOPUKU STREAM Mr E. J. Fairburn, Engineer for the Waikato County Council, wrote asking if the Board would fix pile at the Kopuku stream bridge with instructions as to the method of carrying out the work.—The Board gave authority fox their overseer (Mr P. Sellar) to carry out whatever work was required by the County Council within the Board's jurisdiction. WHANGAPE CREEK Mr Harold W. Matthews (Bangiriri) wrote that he understood there was a Government Grant allocated for clearing the Whangape creek from willows. He stated he would be willing to be rated for an extra £IOO to the amount of interest on same, the Board obtaining the principal on the security of rate from his property. It was pointed out that the proportion should be based on the condition that the work should be started at the outlet from Lake Whangape and continued down stream. He further added that it might be of interest to the Board to know that ever since the Boto Ngaro canal had tapped the lake it had held the water on the lower parts of Mr Tidd's and his own properties. A hope was expressed by the writer that such would cease when the lakes attained their lower levels. The Clerk explained that there was no grant in respect of Whangape creek. It was resolved to repply to Mr Matthews thanking him for his letter and to inform him that there was no grant in respect of the creek mentioned but as he was prepared to bear some of the expense if the work in the creek was carried out the Board would endeavour to assist him and make representations to the Government for a grant. WHARF Ar HUNTLY WEST With regard to the provision of a wharf for the Waikato Shipping Coy, Ltd., it was decided that the Manager of the Company and the Board's Overseer should confer together so that au agreed price for the work could be arrived at. QUM ROYALTIES The Chairman expressed the opinion that the Board should be allowed all royalties for gum taken from Boto Ngaro and Boto Bapu lakes and that a Committee should be appointed for the purpose of safeguarding the Board's interests.—lt was decided to communicate with the Commissioner for Crown Lands on the subject. RIVER BOARDS* AMENDMENT BILL The Chairman reported that a new Bill giving Biver Boards more extended powers was likely to be brought before Parliament at an early date. The Clerk was instructed to take such measures as might be considered necessary to safeguard the Board's interests. WIIA.VUAMARINO BItIUOE The Waikato County Council's Engineer (Mr Fairburn) wrote that the Council had agree 1 to have the work to this bridge done. The Board's Overseer was authorised to carry out such work as might be required on behalf of the Council. £SOOO CLAIM A firm of solicitors wrote on behalf of Messrs Alex and John Muir claiming the Bum of £SOOO as compensation for loss alleged to have arisen out of the construction of

groynes by the Board on frontages to the Waikato river and damage to the riparian rights attached thereto. A similar claim was also made on behalf of Mr Thomas Francis Muir for the sum of £2OO. The claims were "received." The Chairman said a strong representation Bhould be made to the Government protesting against "land sharks" buying native land which ought to be held by the Government. He protested against such native land being alienated. It was resolved to enquire of the Native Minister why the Board's !>revious request that no Native ands should be alienated and held by private individuals on the banks of the Waikato river had been ignored. It had been pointed out already that disputes and complications with individuals would (if such a practice was continued) be the result. THE AKA AKA DRAINS The Chairman drew attention to a report which had appeared in the "Times" relative to the deputation which had waited on the Prime Minister (Mr Massey) recently at Pukekohe in regard to the claim of certain ratepayers of Aka Aka that the Aka Aka drains were being in jured by the Board's groynes. The Chairman said he doubted whether Mr Massey made use of the statement attributed to him in the roport that he "was afraid the Biver Board were not doing much good for the river." On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved to communicate with the Prime Minister and also with Messrs B. F. Bollard and J. A. Young, M's.P., on the subject. overseer's report The Overseer (Mr P. Sellar) reported that he had completed the work in the small creek known as Motu creek at the cost of £l2. At the Maungatawhri creek dredging was progressing as well as could be expected. Since he had raised the bridge to allow the dredge to go go through, 12J chains had been done. The clearing of willows in Opautia creek was well in hand and progress was being made satisfactorily. Boto-Ngaro—ln company with Mr White he had inspected tne work done on this creek and had found that the work was carried out according to plans and specifications. He further reported that he had accompanied the Government Inspec tor over all the work and the Inspector had expressed himself highly satisfied with the amount and quality of the work carried out. The report was received CLERKSHIP Mr E Hallett having tendered his resignation as clerk, which post he had held for about three years, the Chairman reported that Mr A. L. Stevenson (the manager of the Waikato Shipping Co , Ltd.) had been approached with a view to his accepting the position and he had pleasure in stating that Mr Stevenson had accepted the same. On the motion of Mr Gallery it was resolved that Mr A. L. Stevenson be the clerk to the Board in place of Mr Hallett and that his duties commence from Ist August next, Mr Stevenson, who waa present by invitation, thanked the Board for the appointment. The Chairman and other membors of the Board expressed the opinion that it would be to the advantage of both authorities to work as far as possible in conjunction with one another and the appointment of a man of Mr Stevenson's abilities was regarded as a satisfactory one. On the motion of the Chairman a hearty and unanimous vote of thanks was pas3ed to MrE. Hallett for his services during the past three years. RATES The General and Special rate for the ensuing year as submitted by the Clerk was approved. Notice was given that at the Board's next meeting on Saturday, 25th August, such rates would be struck in accordance with the particulars to be advertised in the "Times." Although tliera was a good swell on the Waikato on Saturday last the river has fallen several inches during the early part of the week and was not so high as on the previous Saturday. The heavy fall of rain, however, on Friday had caused the liver to rise again. Flood water frorii the Pokeno district especially had gained in volume and around the Maori pah towards the timber mill there was a considerable amount of water. Fortunately it has not yet risen above the road by the side of the railway line.