WAIKATO RIVER BOARD

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 443, 21 January 1919, Page 1

WAIKATO RIVER BOARD

Annual Meeting The annual general meeting of the Waikato River Board was held at the Board's office Mercer, on Saturday last when there were present Messrs A. Q C. Glass, M. Gallery, and Fendergrast wich the Secretary, Mr Edward Hallett. An apology for absence was received from Mr P. Henry. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN The Clerk at the opening of the meeting occupied the cbair and invited nominations for the position of chairman. Mr Gallery proposed that Mr Glass should be reelected. He stated that Mr Glass had proved a very capable chairman and had taken great interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the Board and of ratepayers generally, being also a man thoroughly conversant with the requirements of ratepayers. Mr Fendergrast seconded the motion and endorsed Mr Gallery's remarks. The resolution having been carried unanimously Mr Glass briefly thanked members for conferring the honour upon him. He had endeavoured to do his best in the past and would continue to do so in the future, relying on the cordial co-operation of his fellow members of the Board. FINANCE COMMITTEE Messrs Gallery, Fendergrast and Henry were appointed as the Finance Committee and it was decided that the Finance Committee meet at 1 o'clock on ordinary meeting days. TIME OF MEETING It was agreed that the ordinary meetings of the Board should commence punctually fit 1.30 p.m. overseer's report The overseer (Mr P. Sellare) reported that since the holidays the dredge had only been working one day due to the iaability to secure men. The repairs to the Government oil launch "Waitoa ' had been completed and lie was awaiting orders where to send the boat. One of the small boats belonging to the Board had been repaired and another was awaiting repairs As regards the Government launch " Waitoa" the Secretary was instructed to write to the Chief Engineer (Mr J. B. Thompson) to ascertain whore the launch is to be sent. The chairman agreed to supply necessary timber to repair the launch referred to by the overseer. The report was adopted. WAIPANGA CREEK Application was made by Messrs F. W. Pyne and P. W. Eyburn for the use of the Board's dredge in order to open the mouth of the Waipanga creek, an offer being made by each to pay £l2 for its hire. The clerk was instructed to reply stating that owing to the dredge being in commission the request could not be acceded to, but would be given consideration to later on. RIVER GROYNES With regard to a request made by the Board to the Minister of Lands for authority to expend the £SOO appropriated in 1917 for repairing the groynes at the Waikato Heads, the Minister (the Hon D. H. Guthrie) intimated that ho was obtaining a report from the Chief Drainage Engineer. In connection with the same matter the Under Secretary of the Department of Lands advised that the Board might proceed with the repairing of the groynes and removing some few piles at Kaitangata, the work to be undertaken by the River Board which, he understood, had suitable plant for pile removal. Payments for claims of expenditure he added, would bo subject to the certificate of the chief drainage engineer that the work had been satisfactorily earned out. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Chief Engineer ior a full explanation in regard to the matter and to point out that the Board would not remove the groynes until the Department agreed to the grant of £SOO being expended for repairing others as the expense en-. tailed in removing the plant to merely remove groynes would be too great. MAMLITY DISITTEK. Notice was received from the WhupguruaiiiK) Road Board calling on the Rivt-r Board, pursuant to section 147 of the Public Works Act, l'.)08, to clear and remove all noxious we'd* along tiin hanks of the Waii ato river near Rangiiiri village. It was deci(lnd to afk the Clerk of tlio Whanganiarino Roid Board to give full details of the River I'.otinl'ft liability, so that the Board could place the matter beforo the Minister of Marine ; but, at the same t:m , iho Board did not. consider iist-lf liahln td dear and remove the wend , a- it had control of water and not "I In.ils. MAI'NOATAWmiU CREEK. I Th • '• 'liitf Draiuiig'i Engineer (Mr J, B. Thompson) wrote asking to be iiiloriiiHfl iis t<» the total amount exp< n>b d out of the Board's funds and M-tt firs' contributions on the Mauneatrtwhiri river independent of tho turn ofj £671 14s 6d paid by the

Government to the Board as a contribution. He understood, he said, that two loans amounting to £SOO and £I,OOO respectively had been raised in debentures, and he requested information as to whether the moneys had been fully expended, and if so, on what class of work. The Clerk stated that all particulars had been supplied. The Minister for Lands (the Hon, D> H. Guthrie) in reply to a petition from the ratepayers of lands in the viciuity of the Maungatawhiri River, requesting the Government to subsidise the loans raised by them for the purpose of completing the dredging of the river to the main valley road to the extent of 10s in the £ up to the sum of £750, stated that he was obtaining a report from the Chief Drainage Engineer, and would advise the Board of the decision arrived at. It was mentioned that no subsidy for the purpose appeared in the Supplementary Estimates, and the Secretary was instructed to make inquiries as to whether the amount had been granted or not, since a private letter received from the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), prior to his departure for the Peace Conference, intimated that the matter would receive favourable consideration. TEE DREDGE. The District Engineer of the Public Works Department made application for the use of the Board's dredge, in order to remove excavated material from Tamahere and Karapiro. The Secretary was instructed to reply to the effect that owing to the dredge being required for work on the Maungatawhiri river at present the request could not be acceded to. IIARAMABUA CREEK. The Waikato Shipping Company drew the Board's attention to the obstructions in the Maramarua creek caused through the overgrowth of willows and weeds, and asked if anything could be done to make the creek navigable. At present, the letter said it looked as if the creek would not be navigable during the summer, MINISTERIAL VISIT PROPOSED. It was decided, on the suggestion of the Chairman, to endeavour to secure a visit from the Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie) and the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) during March, in order to show them the general works carried out by the River Board, FINANCE. Accounts totalling £SO were passed for payment.