CATCHMENT BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 9, 21 October 1943, Page 2

CATCHMENT BOARD.

NORTH CANTERBURY PROGRAMME. RIVER CONTROL FIRST OBJECT CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The immediate problem of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council and the catchment boards now being set up will be river control; soil conservation will be the object of a long-range programme, the first steps of which will be research and investigation into the many problems involved. This summary of the aims of the council and catchment boards was given yesterday by the chairman of the council (Mr W. L. Newnham, En-gineer-in-Cliief to the Public Works Department) at a conference of local body representatives called to set up a catchment board for the North Canterbury district. After hearing addresses by Mr Newnham, Mr T.' G. Beck, and Mr A. .T. Davey, members of the council, and discussing various aspects of the proposals. the conference, without dissent, approved of the establishment, of a catchment board, subject to further consideration being given to representation and boundaries. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) presided.

Delegates from the Ashley River Trust and the Waimakariri River Trust moved the resolution that the board be set up subject to adjustments of representation and boundaries, although Mr C. A. Campioii (Highbank) questioned the advisability of setting up a board which “for years will be able to do little except levy rates.”

Messrs Campion, G. Kelly and H. A. Vezey represented the Ashburton County Council.