NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5408, 26 January 1883, Page 3

NORTH RAKAIA BOARD OF CONSERVATORS.

A meeting of the above Board was held at their office, SouthMdge, on Tuesday afternoon. Present—Messrs J. Osborne and S. Forsyth (members of the old Board), and Messrs W. Bishop, A. McLachlan, and R. Lockhead. Mr Lockhead was elected Chairman.—The Secretary read his annual report, which, among other things, stated that:— One of the first actions of the old Board was to visit the river frontage, with the object of determining what works should be ■undertaken, heavy floods early in January having carried away some of the crib work below Rnyvett's and made a breach fully a chain wide, through which the water was constantly flowing. After the water had subsided Mr White's opinion was taken, and a gang of men put on, by whom some very heavy and necessary work was done, at a considerable expense. The bulk of the hands were paid off by direction of the Board, and the wages reduced to 6s per diem. For several months three hands were employed planting willows on the groins. The willows were obtained from the Board's properties, and latterly, Mr Miln having supplied the necessary horsepower, four or five groins have been constructed on his frontage. A large groin has been three-parts completed in the Education reserve, and some repairs made to groins on Brawley'a frontage where the river has been setting in. Latterly, since the works have been completely stopped, some of the groina above Knyvett's and on Brawley's frontage have been heavily attacked by the river and require maintenance. The Board have also fenced off the Education Reserve and the reserve above Anderson's, in continuation of the scheme for fencing off all the river frontages for the protection of willows. The residents in the vicinity of the Little Rakaia applied to the Board for special assistance, and offered to take over the protection of their frontages if the sum of .£2OO were voted to them. The proposition being outside the powersof the Board was not entertained. —A special rate of 6d in the £ was struck and levied on the 30th January, 1832; at the same time the question of striking a special rate was mooted. The members of the Board made several special visits of inspection to the g_lie3 and leads from the river, and ultimately decided upon striking such rate. Mr Scott, C.E., of Oamaru, was appointed by the Governor to determine lands specially liable, by whom two Courts were held to hear objections to the area he proposed, and ultimately a list of sections was sent in which covered an area of about three times the size and rateable value of the old special rate district, and on this a rate of 9d in the £ was struck, and is now in the course of collection. Payments are not, however, being made very expeditiously, considerable objection being taken to the rate by the ratepayers. After repeated applications by the Board to the Government the southern approaches to the Rakaia reserve have been lengthened twenty-two chains, and channels have been made through the old earthwork which afford an outlet for the flood water, and are likely before long to cause the main stream of the river which at present has a tendency to the south bank, to permanently establish deep channels therein. The balance sheet shows total receipts for the thirteen months amounting to £2726 14s 6d, and disbursements —2856 8s lOd, including liabilities—-oin 1881 of .£965 17s, and leaves a present Bank overdraft of .£l2O 4s 4d. There is an engagement due to the sinking fund of _330 and other liabilities amounting to _106 Ib 6d. The fixed deposit receipt with the Permanent Building Society for jß—6o, which matured in December, has been re-invested at the Bank of New Zealand here for twelve months at the satisfactory rate of 6 per cent.' Letters were read from Mr Hurst re. error in description of land; proposed to be ex--changed, and offering to give part of his old homestead block which was fenced by Board some years ago, and a sufficient portion of the land ; contiguous to it to make up the required area. Mr Hunt's offer was accepted. From Mr John McLeod, manager for the Bank of New South Wales, suggesting another exchange. Reply was deferred. From Mr Joseph L_aesj asking the Board to accept his lease as 48 acres. The Board considered that as Mr Lukies' tender was at per acre his rentshould be determined from the actual area he occupied. The Secretary was instructed toadvertise that all special rates not paid within seven days would be sued for without further notice.—The financial position of the Board, and question of ways and means for carrying on, were discussed; decision was, however, deferred until the next meeting.—The Board expressed itself determined to keep down expenses as far as possible, and thought that a general rate would have to be struck soon after the har- [ vest to provide for existing liabilities and necessary funds.—The Board resolved to i give the Secretary three months' notice, so that any necessary new arrangements I could be entered into.—Accounts amounting to £106 Is 6d were passed for payment. —The meeting then adjourned.